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Inaugural season brings expectations for Men’s Lacrosse; Tony Lemos named 'Team MVP'
IRVING, Texas - University of Dallas Men's Lacrosse head coach Matt O'Connell faced many challenges in preparing a highly inexperienced Crusader squad for the program's inaugural campaign.
Despite the trials and tribulations of the 2011 season, the emergence of several quality underclassmen in a 4-10 (2-3 home) outing has built a culture of growing expectations heading forward.
Finding their way:
With any new program trying to find its way, growing pains are to be expected. After dropping the first three games of the season by large deficits, the Crusaders had a chance at claiming the program's first win in school history in a home tilt against Centenary College (La.). A costly turnover late in the game, however, allowed Centenary to successfully clear the ball and score with a mere two seconds remaining on the scoreboard, en route to a heart breaking 11-10 loss for the Crusaders.
Though Dallas' subsequent loss versus Trine University (Ind.) pushed their record to 0-5 nearly midway through the season, the team's fortune turned in a big way on Saturday, Mar. 12. That afternoon, the Crusaders defeated the Millsaps College (Miss.) Majors – a future Southern Collegiate Athletic Association (SCAC) foe – by a score of 10-4, securing the initial win of their inaugural season.
Over the course of the next four games, Dallas went 3-1 and in the process improved to 4-6 on the season, notching wins over Marymount College (Calif.), St. Edward's University, and Dordt College (Iowa). In their 4-1 stretch (Mar. 12 - Apr. 9), the Crusaders outscored opponents 65-15.
Dallas ran into some stiff competition to end their inaugural season, dropping four games to the likes of Berry College (Ga.), Oglethorpe University (Ga.), Aurora University (Ill.), and Concordia University (Wis.). Nonetheless, the season proved an invaluable experience for Crusader players and coaches alike, and the foundation has been set into place for future successes.
Inside the numbers:
In Dallas' fourteen games spanning the season, the team averaged 5.86 goals per game, finishing with the 160th ranked scoring offense in NCAA DIII Men's Lacrosse.
Marred by an inability at times to gain possession for an extended period, strong defense and goalkeeping helped the Crusaders remain in several games.
Junior goalkeeper Blaise Dufrain (Manassas, Va./Seton High School) finished 19th in the nation, making 13.5 saves per game. He hadn't stepped into a lacrosse cage since high school, but was able to show his ability to maintain athleticism and skill between the pipes, starting 10-of-12 games played. Dufrain ended the season with 162 of the team's saves, posting a .526 save percentage on 482 shots.
The Crusaders were also able to successfully clear the ball from the defensive side of the field, roughly 71 percent of the time.
Fear the 'Flow':
Freshman attack Tony Lemos (Dana Point, Calif./JSerra H.S.) often headlined for Dallas, and for his efforts has been named the team's 'Most Valuable Player' for 2011. Lemos coupled a team-high 43 goals on the year with four assists, and his 3.07 goals-per-game garnered 18th nationally in the category. Additionally, he led Dallas in shots (113) and shots on goal (66).
Lemos tallied Dallas' first ever goal – which gave the Crusaders their first lead in program history -- on an assist from sophomore attack Stephen Joseph (Orange County, Calif./JSerra H.S.) -- in the team's inaugural game, a road defeat versus Southwestern University. This factoid should prove a nice trivia question one day.
Against Marymount College, in Ranchos Palos Verdes, Calif., Lemos netted a career-high and current Dallas single-game record 11 goals. Of note, he had five other multi-goal performances on the season, including: six goals vs. Centenary College (La.), six goals vs. Millsaps College (Miss.), four goals vs. St. Edward's University, six goals vs. Dordt College (Iowa) and three goals vs. Oglethorpe University (Ga.).
Other notable performers:
Joey Mullen (Ridgewood, N.J./Ridgewood H.S.) led Dallas in assists (12) and ground balls (72) as a freshman, playing midfield and defense for the Crusaders throughout the season. Mullen also helped on faceoffs, winning 17-of-30 (56 percent). He also finished second on the team in goals, tickling the twine 14 times.
Other primary contributors for Dallas were sophomore attack Stephen Joseph (Orange County, Calif./JSerra H.S.), who recorded seven goals and eight assists, freshman midfielder Brien Lank (Mission Viejo, Calif./JSerra H.S.), who produced six goals and five assists, and junior midfielder Chris Kerner (Stevensville, Md.), who won 45 percent of his faceoff attempts.
On the defensive side of the equation, the Crusaders also endured success, with contributions coming mainly from the underclassmen in the form of freshman long-pole Mike Franscell (Mission Viejo, Calif./JSerra H.S.), sophomore long-pole Sam Carter, who amassed 30 ground balls and had eight caused turnovers, and freshman defensive midfielder John Owen (Mount Jackson, Va.), who ended the season with 41 ground balls.
Program outlook:
Looking forward, coach O'Connell hopes his core players will be able to better their numbers from 2011, as Dallas will enter the SCAC for the 2012 season, as one of two NCAA DIII men's lacrosse teams in the state of Texas.
Moreover, another set of freshman with high school lacrosse experience should supply the team with greater talent and depth to add to the returning players, who work during the offseason to hone skills and gain strength.
Thoughts from coach O'Connell:
How do you feel about your team now that a season is under everyone's belt?
"We made some very strong strides from fall ball to the end of the season. We need to continue to focus on attention to detail and fundamentals. The team chemistry came a long way and we just need to continue to work hard in the offseason and we will continue to see improvement across the board."
What did securing the program's first ever win over Millsaps mean to you and the guys?
"Well, it was just nice to be part of something special like that. To see all the hard work the players put in, and for it to finally pay off with a win, is something I will remember forever."
What types of things did you stress in the exit meetings to your players?
"To continue to be students of the game. Keep the stick in your hand and work hard in the offseason. We came so far during the season and I would like to see everyone come in right where we ended -- there's no time to be moving backwards."
What are your goals for this upcoming season?
"To be competitive, and mature as a team from year one to year two"
What freshmen should contribute right away in 2012?
"Bryson Briggs, Mike O'Connor, Regan McLaurin, Joseph Scheetz"
