Clark Lacrosse Putting it Together

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Friday, March 16, 2012

Joe Parello, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Though it may seem hard to believe, Clark University Lacrosse has never enjoyed a winning season. The Cougars aim to change that this year.

Currently sitting on a 2-1 record, Clark is well within reach of its pre-season goal. After a disappointing 10-9 loss to Catholic to start the year, the Cougars demolished DeSales 12-2 in a game that saw sophomore Jeffrey Wasson score a career-high five goals. Both those games took place in Clearwater, Florida, but Clark stayed hot when it returned home to blast Anna Maria 9-2 on Monday.

Next up for the Cougars is a road game against Skidmore tomorrow. The Thoroughbreds beat up on Clark 14-2 last year, and coach Jeff Cohen sees this year’s game as a measuring-stick for his improving program.

“I think we’re happy with the direction that we’re going, but we’ve got a huge test against Skidmore,” Cohen said. “I talked to me team earlier and reminded them of last year’s game. I really thought that game was the low point of last season. So now, are we 12 goals better than last year? We’ll find out.”

Along with Wasson, the Cougars are powered by a pair of seniors offensively. Chris Johnson is tied with Wasson for the team lead in points with 12, and nine of those are assists, a team-high. Phil Winslow sits just behind those two in points, but may be the team’s most complete player with five goals and four assists.

While Cohen is always looking for young players to step up, he realizes that his team will go as far as his senior tandem can carry them.

“Phil Winslow and Chris Johnson have been great this year,” Cohen said. “As they go, we go. They’ve done such a good job leading the offense, and that is why we are in the position we are in.”

But it has not just been about offense. Clark has been incredibly stingy defensively, allowing only four goals in their last two games. Leading the defense has been senior Sam McAdam. The 6-foot-2, 210 pound Portland, Maine native has been a physical presence on the defensive end for Clark this year, and he says he and his teammates are out to prove something.

“It’s not about stats or numbers, because I’m going to have a lot more fun and enjoy myself more if we’re winning,” McAdam said. “We really want to play as a unit and show the rest of our league what this program is all about.”

After coming up just short of .500 with a 6-8 record last season, the Cougars appear poised to capture their first winning season. McAdam says the team is playing with confidence, but must be careful not to let success lead to complacency.

“I think our confidence is there, but we’re trying to stay hungry,” McAdam said. “We have to just keep working hard and sticking to our plan and know that, if we do our job, we’re going to come out on top.”
 

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