Men’s Lacrosse Dominant in the First Half of the Season

By Andrew Smith

Men’s lacrosse has begun their season with an impressive start. The Panthers have been on an amazing run during the start of the season and have demonstrated dominance on both sides of the game.

Logan Tucker had an impressive streak where he tallied 14 goals across three games. Photo by AU Athletics

The team opened their season in Florida for two important games in February. The Panthers defeated both Palm Beach Atlantic University and Lynn University by scores of 21-10 and 15-6 respectively. Junior business major Eamon Hall described the importance of the early road trip.

“The most impactful moment of the season so far has to be our trip to Florida. It was early in the year and it was a real come together type of moment for us,” he said. “We were stuck together for five days, so lots of bonding and trust went into that trip.”

Hall played a crucial role in these games by tallying three goals and three assists against Palm Beach Atlantic University and one goal and three assists against Lynn University.

Junior Eamon Hall was dominant during the Florida trip by tallying four goals and six assists across two games. Photo by AU Athletics

Junior midfielder Logan Tucker, who is studying business management, also expressed the importance of the Florida trip and what role it played. “It really brought us closer as a group and there was an instant feeling of togetherness.”

The Panthers kept building on this early momentum and rallied off seven consecutive wins during the first month of play. Tucker reflected the experience and what lessons could be learned. “Throughout the first month of the season, I have learned how much this group cares about one another and how badly everyone wants to be great.”

Tucker has been a dominant force by tallying 14 goals across three games against Southern New Hampshire University, Saint Anslem College and The College of Saint Rose.

In relation to the successful start, Hall said, “It's always important to start a season on the right foot. A win streak is kind of the last thing we think about honestly, we just want to go out every game and try and do our best to win the game.”

Tucker added, “I think getting these wins under our belt are important in order to achieve our goals, however we aren’t looking to win the big games in March and April. We want to be winning in May. These games along the way help us figure out what works and what doesn’t, and also helps us improve day in and day out.”

Players believe momentum plays a large role over the course of the season and can dictate the ebbs and flows the team endures. “I think we can carry this momentum by just playing our game,” Tucker explained. “We know what we are capable of and if we give 100 percent every time we go out there the momentum will carry itself.”

In addition, Hall stressed the importance of his philosophy: “Just staying loose and taking one game at a time. Not making the moment bigger than it is. Also just being able to have fun and joke around with one another has played a huge part,” he said. “I feel like so far we are where we expected to be. We're still trying to play a complete game, where the offense and defense play as a whole for 60 minutes. In a way I am happy because we want to save our best lacrosse for the end of the season and peak at the end of the year.”

Tucker, who is a transfer student, also thanked his teammates and the Adelphi community for welcoming him with open arms. “I just wanted to share how grateful I am for all of my teammates. As a first-year transfer they accepted me into their family right away, and that’s what this is a family. I couldn’t be more appreciative and thankful for the opportunity to play here at Adelphi.”

Be sure to come out to Motamed Field and make it loud as we cheer on our Panthers.