Lacrosse lords start strong

Supported by a staunch defense that is holding opponents to an average of just 7.89 goals per game, the Lords lacrosse team is putting together its best season since the 2000 campaign. The men are off to a 7-2 start and have a shot at capturing at least a share of the conference crown.

"This group has really gelled as a team," third-year head coach Brendan McWilliams said. "I feel that each player understands that he is important to our collective success and that he has a stake in the ownership of this program."

Coming off back-to-back five-win seasons, the 2006 Lords showed immediate signs of success in their season-opening 15-11 win over nationally ranked rival Denison University. It was the Lords' first win against the Big Red since the 1977 season.

Confident from that game, the Lords handily won three straight contests in Florida over spring break, and posted a 13-6 victory over Catholic University upon their return. That win gave the Lords a 6-1 record and a No. 19 slot in one national poll.

Still playing at an exceptional level, the Lords just did not have enough in their next game to overcome defending conference champion Ohio Wesleyan University. Kenyon pushed the Battling Bishops to the edge before dropping an 8-7 decision. It was only the Lords' second loss, both to ranked teams, and only their second home game of the season.

The team bounced back with an impressive 10-3 road win over Washington and Jefferson College, and set the stage for its final run of four conference games that will determine a champion and a possible berth in the Division III national tournament.

McWilliams is excited about the turnaround and what the future holds for his squad. "It's been really exciting to see," he said. "I believe Kenyon lacrosse has the potential to be consistently competitive at a national level. With just four seniors on our roster this season, it's a good sign for the future of this program."