Gaining momentum as the season comes to a close, the men’s lacrosse team (4-4) can cement a postseason birth with a win in their home game against Carleton (3-5) Saturday on Back Campus. The Blues can also host a playoff game by defeating the Ravens by a wide enough margin.
Either way, the post-season begins next Friday.
Coach Wayne Copeland is confident the team will enter a Baggataway Cup playoff picture that is “cloudy at best,” as three teams may finish with identical records.
“We are peaking at the right moment,” Copeland said. “Our goal is to continue pressuring the ball in our end, to make the opposing team make passes, and force some errors. This will jump-start our fast-break offence, which isn’t so much one-on-one, but more of a give-and-go style, with cutters going at the net.”
Helping the Blues late in the season is the return of defenceman Eric Scott.
“He passes well and he helps the fast break,” remarked Copeland. “He also brings an intense factor to the team. He wants to win.”
Scott joins an improving defensive half headed by captain John Reid, whose consistent solid play and vision is lauded by Copeland. Also helping the Blues is the continuing maturation of first-year keeper Bryan Richardson.
The Blues’ defensive prowess was on display last Saturday, as the Blues defeated Queen’s 11-4 here in what was a must-win-game for both teams. U of T continued their playoff aspirations with the victory.
Jumping out to a 4-1 lead after the first quarter, the Blues’ stalwart advantage and man-to-man pressure defence were too much for the Golden Gaels.
Exemplifying the Blues’ physical presence was centre midfielder Steve Hoar, who lost his first two faceoffs, but then never lost another one. Hoar used his 6′ 2″ frame to repeatedly out-muscle Queen’s defenders for the ball.
“He was our top player,” said Copeland. “We would almost always have possession and he set up our short game and power play. His role is to be dominant and we expect him to carry the team.”
In the second quarter, after the Golden Gaels struck back to make it 4-2, the Blues scored three straight goals, attacker Nick Reid scoring the final two of the half. His second goal came off a Queen’s penalty, as the Blues sprinted from defence, shuffling passes on the run until Reid rifled the shot in the bottom right corner of the net, making it 7-2 and effectively ending the game.
