The Plattsburgh State lacrosse season is back, and in its first game of the season, the Cardinals outplayed Castleton University the entire game, reaching a final score of 20-7.
This is a good start for this year’s team, considering last season it took PSUC until its third game to pick up its first victory of the season, which they ended the year at 8-8 (4-2 in conference).
“We played really hard, started fast and pushed the ball in transition,” head coach Joe May said, who is in his second full season at the head of this program. “We were advantageous, we took what their defense gave us and we were unselfish with the ball.”
The Cards cleared the ball successfully in all 21 tries in their first game, which eliminated the chance of their opponents to score second-chance points.
“I was pretty happy with that,” May said. “I thought we got good play from offense, defense and special teams. Overall, I was pretty happy.”
PSUC’s 20 goals were scored by 11 different players, five of them coming from junior attackman Ryan Hubbard and four from senior attackman Ryan Callahan.
The upperclassmen make up a large part of this year’s team, which makes the leadership from these guys all the more important for the players next in line to follow.
“Our senior class very much wants to end their career on a high note,” May said. “They’re focused, motivated and driven, and understand it takes everybody in order to be successful. When they’re doing things the right way, everybody is flying around having a good time and playing good lacrosse.”
One senior in particular who looks to have an impactful season is midfielder Nick DeCeglia.
“We have a lot of seniors this year and a lot of guys who played last year, so I think we shouldn’t lose a step this year and come out strong,” DeCeglia said. “We’re looking really strong already, and I think we will be a lot better than we were last year.”
The Cards’ focus throughout the season will be taking each game as it comes, and to not underestimate any of their opponents along the way.
“We’re just going to try and play one game at a time,” DeCeglia said. “We’re really excited for the rest of the season.”
Not only did PSUC outscore their opponents by 13, but they also won the face-off game 18-12, which helped set the tone for the offense.
Junior face-off man Travis Mauro, who won seven out of his 11 face-offs Wednesday, expects a lot out of not only his teammates, but his coaches as well.
“We expect big things, and he expects a lot out of us,” Mauro said. “He trusts us, and as players we expect a lot out of him as well.”
The Cards will host Skidmore College Sunday, a game that was in slot for Saturday, but was rescheduled for Sunday 1 p.m.
“We had a disappointing season last year, it was not what we expected,” Mauro said. “Everyone is expecting big things this year because we put a lot of hard work and effort into it. As long as everyone is dedicated to the work and our task at hand, I feel comfortable with the boys I’m playing with and the coaches coaching us.”
Email Ezra Kachaturian at sports@cardinalpointsonline.com
