SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Savannah College of Art and Design men’s lacrosse team had a busy fall season as they prepare for the 2010 campaign that will start Feb. 4 at the University of North Florida.
“I was extremely pleased with how the boys gelled this fall,” said head coach Michael Cummings. “With so many young players it can be difficult to work as a unit. Players, who once carried the weight for their high school team, are now relying on their teammates.
“I had the team sit through last year's SELC Division II championship match (Emory vs. Elon) so they know what it will take to get back to the tournament in 2010,” said Cummings. “We are hopeful that the positive attitude and energy seen during the fall will carry over in to the regular season. “
The Bees started the fall by hosting the local postcollegiate club team - Coastal Empire Lacrosse – Oct. 4 and came away with the win. In addition, that was also SCAD Day weekend where seven prospects for the 2011 season and another for 2012 toured the campus, stayed with current players and practiced with the team.
The following weekend SCAD, once again, played host to the Jacksonville club team, as well as a combo-team of Coastal Empire and Charleston club members. And, once again, the Bees ended that Sunday afternoon with two more wins.
The team started the fall with a team-building outing of paintball. (Photo by PKH Studio)
The two previous scrimmages were all preparation for the Clemson Fall Ball Tournament. The Tigers, who would be hosting their third annual event, did not know what to expect from the Bees.
The Bees started off slowly in the early morning Oct 24, losing 10-2 to Virginia Tech University, but were not fazed by the loss and quickly bounced back for their next matchup against West Virginia University. Facing the Mountaineers for the first time ever, SCAD evened its record at 1-1 by defeating them 10-7. The Bees’ confidence began to return as they headed in to an afternoon tilt with the host Tigers. After two years of coming up just short, SCAD outscored the Tigers 10-4. The team topped off their afternoon by beating SELC Division II rivals Kennesaw State University 11-5.
With two matches remaining on the final day, the Bees intended to extend their winning streak. While facing the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest University, the Bees were able to rally from a two-goal deficit in the second half, racking up four unanswered goals to secure the 7-5 win.. Now at 4-1 for the weekend, SCAD headed in to its final game of the tournament against the University of Georgia. The Bees, who had lost to the Bulldogs 23-1 in their lone previous meeting in November 2003, defeated Georgia 6-4 to conclude the preseason schedule.
The Bees also participated in three off-the-field activities during the fall. The squad had their second annual team building activity when the Bees took part in an afternoon of paintball.
Men's lacrosse teammed up with intramurals to host a halloween baggo tournament. (Photo by Leslee LeBouton)
In conjunction with the intramurals department, the Bees held the first-ever Halloween Baggo Tournament Oct. 30. A member of the men’s lacrosse team was paired up with a student and they competed against other teams in the newest intramural sport SCAD has to offer. Baggo is a game that involves throwing bean bags, into holes on a board. Most of the players took advantage of dressing up in Halloween costumes for the tournament.
SCAD also welcomed 21 of its 24 former players back for Alumni Weekend Nov. 6-7. The team held a welcome reception for the alumni at Smithfield Cottage Nov. 6 and entertained the alumni in a match the following day which the current team defeated the alumni 12-7.