BACK ON TRACK

After a rough start, SU men’s lacrosse finds a winning formula thanks to a 3-game win streak

Brody Campbell, Reporter|April 6, 2023

Ever since a tough loss to Salisbury on March 29, Stevenson lacrosse has come out and has looked like a different team. With the good start in MAC Conference play, they are looking to keep the momentum going. 

Stevenson has played four top 10 teams within a span of nine games, and has hung around with a good amount of them. Stevenson is off to a 5-6 (2-0 in the MAC) start, which is not ideal, but a three-game winning streak has gotten them back on track.  

Though they have started rocky, their opponents have been far from easy. Four of SU’s six losses have been to some of the top teams in the country, such as No. 2 Christoper Newport, No. 3 Gettysburg, No. 9 Lynchburg, and No. 1 RIT.  

Senior attacker Shane Ford says that the Mustangs need to remain consistent as they push to keep their winning ways. Photo by Hergan Lacrosse Photography

Senior attackman Shane Ford has continued to preach their consistency as a program and is relying on the team to get back to their feet.  

“What keeps us going so that we all believe we can turn it around and make a run when it matters,” Ford said. 

The DNA of Stevenson lacrosse is winning. It has not been the start of the season they wanted, though there is no doubt that the players can turn this season into a successful season even after some close defeats to top teams. 

Senior attackman Ryan Coleman is pleased with how his team has stayed together.  

“I think we have done a good job of holding each other accountable and losing the finger pointing and taking blame, regardless of the situation and just trying to improve and work harder every single day,” said Coleman, who was a preseason All-American for the third year in a row. 

Senior attacker Ryan Coleman praises his team for staying positive and continuing to work hard. Photo by Hergan Sports Photography

Putting it all together seems to be the one thing that is missing. Yes, that may sound obvious, but once the team starts firing on all cylinders, they are among some of the best in the country.  

“Everything happens for a reason,” Coleman said. “Everyone on this team came to play those tough games whether that means we come out on top or just learn from the loss and figure out how to compete with the best of the best.”  

There is no doubt that the championship-caliber level of this team is yet to be discovered, but with a good chunk of games versus unranked opponents to close out the season, the Mustangs could catch fire when it matters most.  

Stevenson hosts Hood at Mustang Stadium on Tuesday, April 7, at 7 p.m. as they look to keep their red hot form.