The Penmen Press | 11
Men’s Lacrosse is Attacking This Spring Lance Legere Staff Writer
Tristian Pietz of SNHU Men’s Lacrosse. (image courtesy: SNHU Penmen Athletics) It’s been nearly a year since the Men’s Lacrosse team took the field for practice. Now they are back and ready to play at the NE10 conference. “The first day of practice, the energy was there,” says head coach Paul Calkins. The Penmen had taken the field thirteen times before their first game against Franklin Pierce University. “We have been really creative with Zoom meetings. We had to fast forward on the basics and get into the nuts and bolts of our offense and defense,” says Calkins. From a coaching perspective, it is quite the challenge to put a roster together and have the athletes ready to play in such a short time, but it is also a challenge for both new and returning players to get in the flow of things. “To have last year taken away from us was devastating. We didn’t know if we would be back or not [this year],” says team captain Cole Jacobsen (‘21). “We are thankful for what SNHU has provided us.” The Penmen finished the 2019 season with an overall record of 4-10.
Calkins is excited with the group returning for this season. “We have a mix of new and old guys,” says Calkins. With Tristian Pietz (‘22) out for the year due to injury, the Penmen offense will look a bit different this season. “None of the guys in our starting attack were on our roster last season,” says Calkins. Graduate student David Weidenfeld will be paired alongside Jack Terrones (‘24) and Jackson Hounchell (‘22). A new attack with an experienced midfield of Jacobsen, Tim Krutz (‘23) and Stephen Dubois (‘21) has been a perfect fit up to this point. “There is a lot of game experience with our midfield group. We knew those six would be our main guys,” said Calkins. Defensively, Nolan Isabella (‘21) will be leading the charge. “He is becoming the leader back there,” said Calkins. Every other defensive starter is either a freshman or a sophomore with little to no game experience. “We are having to mold guys back there, and Nolan has been very helpful being the on-field general.” The lacrosse team is currently on campus, which has helped them
become closer. “Spending seven days on the same floor with your teammates forces you to become closer as friends,” said Jacobsen. “One of the best things about playing college lacrosse are the connections and bonds you make that will last a lifetime.” The Penmen are hoping to improve in the NE10, as they finished the shortened 2020 season with a 3-8 record in conference play. “We can improve from two years ago,” says Calkins. “I think this group is going to help us take a bigger leap forward.” Every team will get a shot at the playoffs this season, but the Penmen are looking for more than a first-round appearance. “The end goal is always going to be to compete for an NE10 Championship,” says Jacobsen. “While we want to win, I also just want to embrace this season and have a good time. Time flies when you’re playing a sport and this could be my last year. I’m taking every day with a grain of salt.” The Penmen currently sit at 3-3 on the young season and look to make the most of their remaining seven games as the playoffs are quickly approaching.