After a crucial victory over Amherst, the men's lacrosse team looks to continue its success when it travels to Bates tomorrow afternoon. The Jumbos won the last meeting against the Bobcats by one goal, but fell in the two prior meetings.
The match up will pit two teams who sit on opposite sides of the winning spectrum. Bates ranks last in the league with a 1-6 NESCAC record, while the Jumbos are tied for first in the league with Middlebury with a 5-1 record in the NESCAC (9-2, overall). Bates has been struggling throughout most of the season, and has lost its last six games against the likes of Amherst, Williams, Colby and Bowdoin, all teams Tufts has defeated.
The Jumbos have won two straight, but many of their match ups have been decided by one goal, and the team will not underestimate any opponent. Bates, despite its losing record, has the ability to upset Tufts. In the beginning of the season, the Bobcats defeated Wesleyan, a team that is now tied for third in the league, convincingly.
"Bates is as tough a team as there is in this league," coach Mike Daly said. "They are one of the most tenacious and persistent teams in the league. They are well coached and disciplined and we will need to play them smart to beat them."
Tufts will rely, as it has all season, on each player carrying out his role.
Junior Bryan Griffin, who had an impressive game against Amherst with three goals and three assists, has been a key contributor all season. Griffin leads the team in goals (31), assists (26), and points (57). Junior Devin Clarke has also been on fire for the Jumbos. Clarke scored the game-winner against Amherst on Wednesday, and is second on the team in goals, assists and points.
Junior goaltender Luke Chicco has been formidable in net and has been a solid base for the Jumbos' defense. According to Daly, however, there isn't one "go-to" player on the team. The Jumbos have been winning because of their total team effort, and relying on their role players to execute their responsibilities in tight situations.
After Wednesday's game against Amherst, the team will be focusing on the basics and fundamental execution both offensively and defensively.
"Our mindset heading into Saturday's game is to put together a total team effort," said Daly. "We also need to focus on our clearing and stop giving teams second chance opportunities. We have played good defense and offense as of late, but we can't let teams come back on us."
With the season coming to a close and the NESCAC tournament on the horizon just over a week away, the Jumbos will need to continue their strong play. If the season were to end today, Tufts would most likely be facing off against Middlebury in the NESCAC Championship game for the second straight year. However according to Daly, the Jumbos cannot afford to look that far ahead.
Every game for the team has been a close match-up and much of its success can be attributed to the fact that the Jumbos have remained focused.
"We are focused on Bates right now, and we will have our hands full with them," Daly said. "Bates is our focus and if our thoughts wander away from Bates for even a second, our season could be in jeopardy. But if Middlebury were to show up tomorrow, we would play them and beat them."
Tufts squares off against Bates tomorrow in Lewiston, ME, at 2 p.m. The NESCAC Tournament begins May 2.
