UMass Lacrosse Back Among Nation’s Elite
Monday, March 26, 2012
It was just six years ago that the maroon and white fell in the 2006 National Championship game to an undefeated Virginia squad. A strong start to the 2012 season has UMass thinking about another title run
The Minutemen are 7-0 for the first time since 2003, a year they only lost three games all season, Under 18th year head coach Greg Cannella there has only been one more successful start to the season. That was in 2001, when UMass went 10-0 before losing its first game.
A Team-First Approach
“We aren't a team that cares who gets the points,” Junior Kyle Smith said. “We're about the one more pass, the right pass, and playing smart in general. We're all about the team's success.”
The focus on team success has worked. Two weeks ago, UMass moved up to third in the national rankings, just behind perennially powers Johns Hopkins and Virginia.
Led by junior Will Manny's 33 points (21 goals, 12 assists), the Minutemen are averaging conference bests with 12.0 goals per game and 7.29 assists per game. Senior Art Kell is one of only two players in the conference to have scored a goal while the team was a man down, further defining the offensive prowess of the team.
“That's their job. If they don't do that [score], we're not going to be successful,” Cannella said of his offense. “They expect it of themselves as well.”
Local Ties
Outside of having a stellar core of attackers, the UMass Amherst team also boasts hometown heroes; the 39 player team is made up of 14 in-state student-athletes, including Longmeadow's Smith and Westford's Kell. The local duo are also productive, ranking second and third on the team in points, with 22 and 21 respectively.
Four Massachusetts' natives have started at least one of UMass' seven games and six have recorded at least one point so far, with half of the season remaining.
“We're the state university, we represent the state of Massachusetts,” Cannella said. “Here, they get the chance to stay here at home and represent the state.”
“I grew up just 30 minutes away, so I never really thought about playing anywhere else,” Smith said. “My dad went (to UMass) and was an All-American in lacrosse 1976-79. I was always up here for football, basketball and lacrosse games. It didn't really seem right to play anywhere else.”
Dominating the Colonial, and Beyond
UMass has three players in the top-10 in the Colonial Athletic Association's goals leader board, including the top two spots, held by Manny's 21 and Smith's 17.
In their latest victory, the Minutemen had to come from behind in overtime to defeat then-No. 14 Penn State. The game earned Mike Fetterly CAA Player of the Week honors for his two goals, including the game-winner one minute into overtime. The week before, Art Kell won Player of the Week honors.
UMass faces Harvard (3-3) Tuesday, March 27 at 7 PM at Garber Field in Amherst. Harvard has beaten UMass each of the last two years.
“They play well defensively, along with having great goal-tending,” Cannella said. “If we're not ready they're going to beat us again.”
“Coach Cannella has worked us hard in practice this week, and we aren't taking Harvard lightly,” Smith said. “It starts with effort. If we have a 60 minute effort we will be in a good position to win.”
Despite their great start, the Minutemen are not thinking about how well they have done so far, but what they still have to accomplish.
“It's not how you start, it's how you finish,” Cannella said. “You signed up to play 13 games, not just seven.”
Related Articles
- A New Attitude for Nichols Lacrosse
- Central Mass College Lacrosse Preview
- Algonquin Lacrosse Reloads for Another Title Run
- Clark Lacrosse Putting it Together
Follow us on Pinterest Google + Facebook Twitter See It Read It