The Mavericks are back for the spring lacrosse season, with a new coach and high hopes for the season. The men’s lacrosse team is nationally ranked almost every year, and this time around is no different as the Mavericks sit at 20th.
Troy Moyer recently was hired as the full time coach and had a warm welcome by the team.
“It was surprising, people think when the coach leave that the team would rebuild and will not be at the same level [..] we didn’t feel that way, we knew how good of a team we have and how good of players we had it was just without the head coach we have had for the past couple of years. I think coach Moyer has done a great job taking that step and putting his own stamp on it.” Vinny Curci, a red-shirt senior said.
Although they have a new coach and some new players this year, there are a lot of returning faces joining the team.
Some notable veterans include a pair All-American honorable mentions in redshirt junior midfielder James Steinke and junior faceoff specialist Dylan Checketts, as well as the two-time RMAC Attacker of the Year junior Hunter Holcomb and reigning RMAC Freshman of the Year defender Caden Hathaway.
The transition was eaised by the fact the new head coach was previously the assistant coach for the past couple of years. Most of the players knew Moyer as the defensive coordinator before he became the head coach. He had to switch gears and be more involved with the offense as the head coach, a transition he exclaimed was natural as he had coached both before.
The guys are confidently running the road to nationals this year setting themselves up to accomplish big goals, unphased by the changing of coaches for the 2023 season.
The team just barely missed out on nationals last year, even after winning the RMAC Tournament. This year, however, the men know they can trust coach Moyer to lead them all the way.
“We were still confident when coach Moyer that we had all the pieces that we needed to obtain our goals. He’s also simplified things around the program for offense. It’s important that we have alumni Coaches Flynn and Coach Shane that understand what he’s trying to do and they are on the same page offensively and defensively.” Drew Eickelman, a red-shirt junior said.
With great upper-classman leadership, the squad hopes to make it to the NCAA championship. The team known as the road warriors have had a successful start so far this season.
The Mavericks defeated Colorado College 15-9, before blowing out Lees-McRae College 25-2 in North Carolina. Colorado Mesa University then narrowly lost to Belmont Abbey College, 11-12, two days later on Feb. 25.
