Bryan Cole/ Collegian File Photo
‘Dogs aim to clench the first win in program history
After the 2009 lacrosse team’s first season in the program’s history, head coach Sue Behme and her 2010 squad are still left searching for one thing””a first victory.
The Fresno State lacrosse inaugural season did not go according to plan, finishing 0-14 and averaging only 2.7 goals per game.
The new season starts March 1 as the ‘Dogs travel cross-country to Pennsylvania to take on Villanova in the first game of a tumultuous 14-game schedule. The season opener to Philadelphia scheduled for Friday was canceled due to heavy snowfall.
However, Behme’s sees her Bulldogs’ tall task as an opportunity to prove doubters wrong and gain conference recognition.
“We obviously have set high team goals,” Behme said. “We want to do well in the non-conference games to get us ready for conference play against Stanford, Cal, Oregon, Denver, UC Davis, St. Mary’s, and we want to be one of those top four teams if we can going into that tournament.”
Nearly every player from ‘09 roster returned for this season, including junior Heather Jack, who led the ‘Dogs with 11 goals last season. Behme also welcomes in 13 freshmen into the program, but insists the team’s success will depend on the sum of its parts.
“I look at it from a holistic perspective,” Behme said. “There’s not going to be one or two or three players that define our success. All 23 of us are going to get the job done.”
The ‘Dogs have been working around the clock to ensure the 2010 season is not a repeat of last year. Official practice began on Jan. 21, but Fresno State’s effort to improve has stretched much longer than that.
“We practice all year, within the NCAA rules,” Behme said. “But these guys train all year round. We had a really strong fall, came back this season and pretty much have been training three to four hours a day since January 21.”
Perhaps Fresno State’s biggest hurdle to clear is its youth. Of the 23 players on the roster, only four are seniors and over half are rookies to the program. If the ‘Dogs are going to earn the program’s first victory and make some noise at the conference tournament in April, the numerous freshmen are going to have to get their feet wet at the next level.
“I think the biggest obstacle for us is just playing with confidence,” Behme said. “We have players that have played the game, and we have really good players that have played the game. But I think the biggest thing with them is now competing at the collegiate level. I think having the confidence to step on the field and to go hard all the time is going to help us be successful.”
The ‘Dogs will get its fair share of collegiate experience early and often in 2010. Once the season opens on March 1 at Villanova, Fresno State will face four opponents in a seven-day stretch. After that, the Bulldogs have a long stint of home games, beginning with a March 11 showdown with Detroit.