SOUTHWESTERN OPENS '05 SEASON WITH CONVINCING WIN!! (1/29/05)
Southwestern opened the 2005 season with a convincing win against
Division A Rice, with a final score of 10-5. SU had not played
Rice over the past three years and the previous three before that,
SU had come out on the losing end.
However, after a stellar scrimmage against Texas in Austin last
weekend, the Bucs knew they had a special team in the making and
wasted no time opening the season with a solid win that never was
really in doubt.
Rice scored the first goal of the game only a few minutes into the
first quarter on a wrap around from behind the crease. It was the
only lead Rice would hold all day. SU did not get on the board
for the season until the 3:30 mark in the first on a blistering
shot by Gainey, who finished the day as the leading scorer for the
Bucs. Shortly after, on an SU man up, Frank notched his first
goal of the season on a rocket shot past the goalie with only 16
seconds left in the first.
SU never looked back, with freshman James Pritchett scoring the
first goal of his career shortly after the 2nd stanza began on
a "Pele-esque" run and shot at the goal. By the time both teams
entered half, SU led 6-2, including a goal by sophomore Ian
Daulton, who we expect to try and fill the shoes of Bier over the
next couple of years.
The third saw SU extend its lead to a total of 10-2 before Rice
notched their third goal of the day just before the quarter
ended. SU did not score again, but did not need to. A couple of
meaningless goals in the fourth and many line-up shifts for SU
were the story of the fourth.
Overall, it was a great game for the Bucs, who have high hopes for
the season after bowing out in the first round of the LSA playoffs
last year. While there are a lot of players who are going to need
to step up, one place where SU needs it the most is at goalie. We
seem to have found a diamond in the rough in freshman Jake
Dickson. Jake, never having picked up a lacrosse stick before
August, has worked hard all semester and is one of the best
athletes the lacrosse team has seen in years. He played like a
seasoned veteran, with the help of the newly revamped, and much
better d-line, shutting down Rice most of the day.
Newcomers on the D-line include Denton, Claiborn for home games,
and Gette. Nelson has stepped up into the starting role, and with
a d so deep, Wilson got considerable playing time as well. All
did an excellent job.
Other players of note include the usual suspects like Jeffcoat and
Kerr, and some newcomers to the constant playing time, such as
Weldon, Wersonske, and Jones, who also notched his first of the
SU hosts SFA, a winner in both of their games this weekend, and
TCU, back in the league after a brief two year hiatus. Both games
are conference opponents and mean everything for the playoffs. The
guys will have to be at mid season form to beat both teams who
have tons of talent. SU beat SFA in a close game last year in
Nacogdoches 15-13, and should expect nothing different from a well
coached and very physical team.
We appreciate all the fans who came out to support the Bucs on
opening day, and hope we can bring you out again for our double
weekend home stand.
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