Season Outlook: Men’s Lacrosse
MEQUON, Wis.
- The expectation level surrounding the Concordia
University Wisconsin men's lacrosse team has risen, following a
successful first-year of competition as a program. The Falcons
increased their roster size and will again face difficult
competition heading into the 2012 season.
Second-year head coach Jeff Roberts returns 11
letterwinners, including two All-Midwest Lacrosse Conference
performers, from a team that finished 8-6 overall a year ago. With
the addition of 15 freshmen, Roberts sees his team getting better
each day on the practice field.
"It was difficult at times last season having a roster
with 19 players," Roberts said. "We had players who played every
minute of every game, but this year our depth is going to be a key
factor in our success."
Leading scorer Danny Dahms (sophomore, Calgary, Alberta) returns to
guide CUW's offense after being named Second Team All-MLC last
season. The 5-foot-6 midfielder scored a team-best 39 points and 30
goals. He scored in 12 contests, including a season-high six
tallies in an 18-3 victory at MSOE.
Similarly, sophomore Justin Krause (Hartland, Wis.)
earned MLC postseason honors after leading the Falcons in faceoffs
won, 73, while recording 22 points. In addition, sophomore Ben
Bobowski (Shelby Township, Mich.) returns as a defender and is one
of three team captains, along with Dahms and Krause.
The Falcons' sophomores have a year of experience
under their belts, but the freshmen have been transitioning nicely
according to Roberts.
"Our newcomers are doing a great job of learning the
system and playing hard each day in practice," he said. "They are
adapting to college life and learning the importance of time
management while playing a collegiate sport."
CUW's start to the 2012 season will be difficult with
three-consecutive games against NCAA Tournament teams. The Falcons
begin the season on Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. (CST) as they travel to Ohio
Wesleyan University. The Battling Bishops advanced to the NCAA
Tournament last season after putting together a 10-4 overall
record.
CUW returns to Mequon for its home opener on Mar. 3 at
1 p.m. against Wittenberg University who put together a 14-2 record
last season.
"I want to give my players a chance to compete against
the best teams in the nation," Roberts said. "Our non-conference
schedule is always going to be difficult because it prepares us for
the challenging MLC portion of our schedule."
The Falcons then travel to Adrian College on Mar. 11
for a 1 p.m. (CST) MLC opener. The Bulldogs won the regular season
and MLC Tournament titles a season ago, and finished their season
with a 15-3 record. CUW won't have a scrimmage prior to its season
opener, but competitive practices have not changed the program's
goals.
"This may sound cliché, but our goal is to get
better every day," Roberts said. "We want our athletes not only to
be more complete lacrosse players, but also to be outstanding
students, teammates and sons. We believe that as a program;
stressing the importance of the spirit, mind and body."
