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Men’s lacrosse team eager for fresh start |
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Thursday, 31 January 2008 |
by CORY WATSON
Intern Sports Reporter
The Appalachian State University men’s club lacrosse team understands last year was a learning experience.
After posting a 1-6 overall record, the team could have thrown in the towel, but with the talent coming back, that wasn’t an option.
Junior history major and club president Robbie M. Simpson looks to lead this year’s team to new
heights despite its disappointing season last year.
 Sophomore building science major Timothy B. Kihlstrom participates in drills with the men’s lacrosse team at the Student Recreation Center, where the team practices. Photo by Alisha Park
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“We really underachieved for the talent that we had,” Simpson said. “It was the first year that we didn’t make the conference playoffs since the team’s been formed.”
Following a close loss to North Carolina State University and a victory at Wake Forest University, the
Mountaineers were unable to carry their momentum through the rest of the season.
The Mountaineers will have their share of obstacles this year. The team will be without leading scorer
senior health exercise major Adam W. Moses, who accounted for 17 goals last season. Additionally,
Appalachian will play this season without a full-time coach.
Junior building science major Mark Van Hoever recognizes it will take a strong effort to overcome their
obstacles.
“We’re really trying to get the guys to buy into what we want to do,” he said. “Just trusting the guy next
to you is really going to make us a top team.”
Simpson added that struggles with inconsistent weather conditions and practice facilities can often
make it difficult to develop a familiar practice routine.
“It’s kind of spur of the moment with what we’re going to do in practice,” he said.
When asked what could be improved upon this year, sophomore marketing major and midfielder Grier
Yoslov summed his answer up in one word.
“Conditioning,” he said.
Although the team will undoubtedly face struggles, Simpson pointed out that defense will be a focal
point for this year’s team.
“We’ve always had a really good defense,” Simpson said. “We’ve got some experience as well as
some talent coming in that can form a good team this year.”
New additions on both sides of the ball will help Appalachian compete. Van Hoever looks to make an
impact on offense, while newcomer junior Rob Bailey will attempt to leave his impression on the
defense.
Also, the Mountaineers will implement two new offenses as they hope to become more versatile on the
playing field.
ASU will look to make a return to the conference championship this season. But it will take a fusion of
talent and experience from the team’s core leaders to turn a solid effort into success.
The Mountaineers appear to have a formula in place for victory this year. But they won’t easily forget
last season’s trials.
“I think that going through a losing season we kind of all joined together,” Simpson said. “This shouldn’t
happen again.”
Appalachian will play its first game of the 2008 season against N.C. State Feb. 9 at 3 p.m.
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