Though the No. 6 men's lacrosse team has played one of the toughest schedules in Div. III so far this season, a single loss to No. 7 Stevenson - in which they were still without last year's leading scorer Sean Kirwan - cost them four spots in the national rankings and spurred whispers that perhaps Tufts lacrosse's recent dynasty is coming to an end.
But the Jumbos refuse to be discouraged by their oust from the top five, and they are excited to reclaim their role as NESCAC quasi-underdog behind No. 3 Amherst, which surprisingly took its first loss against Wesleyan yesterday.
On Saturday, Trinity will face a young Tufts squad focused on results, not rankings, heading into the thick of conference play.
"We don't put much weight in rankings and stats," said senior midfielder Nick Rhoads, who was recently named NESCAC Co-Player of the Week. "It would be nice to hold the top spot but
top spot or last place shouldn't affect how we play. We'll just keep plugging away and looking to get better one win at a time."
While a win this weekend in Hartford may not do much to boost the Jumbos' national image - the Bantams recently fell out of the Div. III top 20 - a victory will be necessary to keep Tufts firmly in the conference's top two.
The Jumbos unquestionably have the advantage on offense. Senior co-captain midfielder Kevin McCormick is one of the most versatile shooters in the country, and he, sophomore Beau Wood and freshman Cole Bailey have the potential to pepper any goalie in the NESCAC. Factor in a possible return to the field after a sprained ankle for senior co-captain Kirwan - the conference's top goal-scorer last season - and the Bantams' defense will have its hands full.
Still, the Bantams may be capable of at least containing the Jumbos' attack. Trinity has allowed just over seven goals per game, killed over 91 percent of opponent penalties and caused more turnovers per game (11.6) than any other team in the league. On the flip side, the Jumbos have turned the ball over 120 times this year, second only to 3-4 Bates. Trinity's keeper, senior captain Peter Johnson, boasts a 61 percent save percentage, good for second in the league. But if Rhoads can continue his dominance, the Jumbos should have more than enough time to wear down the Bantams' defense.
On the other end of the field, Tufts seems to have the clear upper hand. Trinity has just one scorer, junior Rob Nogueras, among the top 25 in the conference, and while his 2.8 goals per game are nothing to shake a stick at, the Jumbos' experienced back line should be able to dampen his impact and force shots from Trinity's less prolific scorers.
"We don't worry about matchups," sophomore defensive midfielder Kane Delaney said. "We'll just focus on ourselves and playing our brand of defense
playing at our speed, putting pressure on their offense, communicating, playing smart and playing physical."
The Jumbos will have to tighten up in two areas to thwart any chances of an upset: They must buckle down defensively in the fourth quarter and avoid penalties. Tufts has not outscored an opponent in the fourth quarter in its last four games and currently has the worst penalty killing percentage in the league. Trinity could make a push in the final minutes if the Jumbos commit too many fouls down the stretch.
"Coming out and finishing strong will be very important defensively," Delaney said. "We'll attack the game one defensive possession at a time and strive to play a complete game. We can't make excuses of being tired at the end of games. We have expectations for the way we play and we won't accept anything else."
The Jumbos and Bantams have had only one common opponent so far in Western New England College, which dismantled Trinity, 12-5, and fell to Tufts on the road, 13-9.
Still, Trinity's defensive strength cannot be underestimated, and Tufts is doing everything it can to prepare.
"For us, it's all about seeing every day as an opportunity that we can't waste," Delaney said. "So we're making the most of this long week of preparation."
"We like to pride ourselves on treating every game like it's a championship game," Rhoads added. "Basically, we are focusing on us rather than them, striving toward playing the game perfectly."
Though the No. 6 men's lacrosse team has played one of the toughest schedules in Div. III so far this season, a single loss to No. 7 Stevenson - in which they were still without last year's leading scorer Sean Kirwan - cost them four spots in the national rankings and spurred whispers that perhaps Tufts lacrosse's recent dynasty is coming to an end.
But the Jumbos refuse to be discouraged by their oust from the top five, and they are excited to reclaim their role as NESCAC quasi-underdog behind No. 3 Amherst, which surprisingly took its first loss against Wesleyan yesterday.
On Saturday, Trinity will face a young Tufts squad focused on results, not rankings, heading into the thick of conference play.
"We don't put much weight in rankings and stats," said senior midfielder Nick Rhoads, who was recently named NESCAC Co-Player of the Week. "It would be nice to hold the top spot but
top spot or last place shouldn't affect how we play. We'll just keep plugging away and looking to get better one win at a time."
While a win this weekend in Hartford may not do much to boost the Jumbos' national image - the Bantams recently fell out of the Div. III top 20 - a victory will be necessary to keep Tufts firmly in the conference's top two.
The Jumbos unquestionably have the advantage on offense. Senior co-captain midfielder Kevin McCormick is one of the most versatile shooters in the country, and he, sophomore Beau Wood and freshman Cole Bailey have the potential to pepper any goalie in the NESCAC. Factor in a possible return to the field after a sprained ankle for senior co-captain Kirwan - the conference's top goal-scorer last season - and the Bantams' defense will have its hands full.
Still, the Bantams may be capable of at least containing the Jumbos' attack. Trinity has allowed just over seven goals per game, killed over 91 percent of opponent penalties and caused more turnovers per game (11.6) than any other team in the league. On the flip side, the Jumbos have turned the ball over 120 times this year, second only to 3-4 Bates. Trinity's keeper, senior captain Peter Johnson, boasts a 61 percent save percentage, good for second in the league. But if Rhoads can continue his dominance, the Jumbos should have more than enough time to wear down the Bantams' defense.
On the other end of the field, Tufts seems to have the clear upper hand. Trinity has just one scorer, junior Rob Nogueras, among the top 25 in the conference, and while his 2.8 goals per game are nothing to shake a stick at, the Jumbos' experienced back line should be able to dampen his impact and force shots from Trinity's less prolific scorers.
"We don't worry about matchups," sophomore defensive midfielder Kane Delaney said. "We'll just focus on ourselves and playing our brand of defense
playing at our speed, putting pressure on their offense, communicating, playing smart and playing physical."
The Jumbos will have to tighten up in two areas to thwart any chances of an upset: They must buckle down defensively in the fourth quarter and avoid penalties. Tufts has not outscored an opponent in the fourth quarter in its last four games and currently has the worst penalty killing percentage in the league. Trinity could make a push in the final minutes if the Jumbos commit too many fouls down the stretch.
"Coming out and finishing strong will be very important defensively," Delaney said. "We'll attack the game one defensive possession at a time and strive to play a complete game. We can't make excuses of being tired at the end of games. We have expectations for the way we play and we won't accept anything else."
The Jumbos and Bantams have had only one common opponent so far in Western New England College, which dismantled Trinity, 12-5, and fell to Tufts on the road, 13-9.
Still, Trinity's defensive strength cannot be underestimated, and Tufts is doing everything it can to prepare.
"For us, it's all about seeing every day as an opportunity that we can't waste," Delaney said. "So we're making the most of this long week of preparation."
"We like to pride ourselves on treating every game like it's a championship game," Rhoads added. "Basically, we are focusing on us rather than them, striving toward playing the game perfectly."
