With their season rapidly approaching, the men’s lacrosse team prepares to improve from last year’s encouraging performance. In 2005, an overtime victory against Virginia Wesleyan ended Guilford’s 72-game conference losing streak. Guilford also defeated rival Greensboro College for the first time since 1996. The Greensboro game was ranked Division III’s biggest upset of 2005 by laxpower.com.
Head coach Andrew Rowe looks to improve the team’s 5-8 record from last year. The Quakers return 19 letter-winners and welcomes 15 newcomers to the 2006 squad. Rowe has high hopes for his crew, noting both a talented recruiting class and integrity among upperclassmen.
“We have a lot of good character guys on this team,” said Rowe. “The incoming freshmen are very capable players, but it’s up to the older guys to show them how to play at this level, and I have all the confidence in the world that they will.”
The Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) is a lacrosse powerhouse, boasting three teams in the national top 20 at last season’s conclusion. For the Quakers to contend, they will require an immediate impact from the first-year players. Also, returning players will need to step into larger roles.
“From what I’ve seen of the freshmen, we have enough talent to compete in the ODAC,” said sophomore Preston Gilbert. “It’s the mindset that is most important: if we believe we can win, then we can.”
The Quakers are a very young team with limited experience on offense and defense. Gilbert, the only returning starter on attack, will lead Guilford’s young offense. Likewise on defense, sophomore Tyler Harrison is the only returning starter.
The midfield is where Guilford showcases its most experienced players. Senior co-captain Bryan Borchard, a 2005 All-ODAC selection, tallied 21 goals and 8 assists last season as Guilford’s top point and goal scorer. Borchard believes that the Quaker’s stability in the midfield is key to their success this upcoming season.
“The midfield is probably the most important position in lacrosse,” said Borchard. “All four of our seniors play in the midfield, so we’re stacked in the most important area of the game, which sets us up for success.”
Senior co-captain Brian Burt will resume his role as Guilford’s starting long-stick midfielder. Behind Burt, senior co-captain Jonathan Jenkins leads the short-stick defensive midfield positions, all filled by returning players.
Sophomore goaltender Andrew Vigne returns as Guilford’s starter in the net after a solid first season. Vigne had a .585 save average and totaled 204 saves last year.
“Everyone is anxious to get onto the field this year because our attitude has changed,” said Vigne. “We expect to win games now, not to just keep it respectable.”
The Quakers begin their 2006 season with scrimmages at home against Catawba College and Queens University on Feb. 11. Conference play begins April 1 against top-20 opponent Hampden-Sydney.