This week in the MCLA we have a bundle of rivalry games for everyone to catch up on.
Starting in Division 1 we have game such as Florida versus Florida State, South Carolina versus
Clemson, and Alabama versus Auburn. While most of these games will not hold any form of
competitiveness, one that I am really looking forward to watching will be the South Carolina,
Clemson game.
While Clemson is 3-0 in SELC play, South Carolina is actually on top of the league standings
with a 1-2 slate. Clemson has had a tight win against North Carolina State and a couple of easier
ones with Wake Forest, and East Carolina to achieve their 3-0 mark in the SELC. South Carolina
has had a bit of a rougher road with a one goal loss to NC State, while Wake Forest came up
with a convincing win at home over the Gamecocks. South Carolina earned their lone win in the
SELC with a convincing 10 goal difference against East Carolina.
In this game you can expect to see some trouble for South Carolinas high powered offense lead
by junior Billy Binder, and senior Woody Angle when they have to deal with the likes of senior
captain Mike Dirocco, and fellow senior captain Brian Murphy on defense for the tigers. Based
off of previous games played between these two teams, Clemson holds a commanding 5-2 record
while, the only two losses came in 06, and 07. When looking at all these statistics I am going
with a 9-7 win in a hard fought battle for the home team of Clemson.
In Division 2 we will be looking at a game that was played last Sunday in New London,
Connecticut. This game was held between the two bitter rivals, the home team United States
Coast Guard Academy Bears, and the visiting Briarcliffe Bulldogs of Patchouge, New York.
This game was a tough one for the Bulldogs who have never lost to the Bears in the four years
they have played each other.
When I spoke with Briarcliffe Head Coach SeanMichael Pagano he stated “It was a tough game.
We have some key injuries right now with two of our senior leaders out in Bonacore and Trama.
You never expect to lose going into a game as a coach but, we knew we would really have to
play our best this game to try and pull out a win.” The final score ending up being a big 17-7
win for USCG. When I had the chance to speak with some of the Briarcliffe players about their
feelings after the game sophomore defenseman Sean Brophy had to say “after Sundays loss I
had a few emotions, mostly frustration and disappointment.” That statement was mirrored by
junior goalie Matt Gierl, and freshman midfielder Adam Davis. Gierl also threw in “I had some
anger knowing we have never lost to them, and the shared frustration that I personally did not
play my best game.” Davis went on to say “I feel like I missed out on the feeling that all of the
upperclassman have mentioned to me before about beating them.” When I asked Coach Pagano
if he had any positives coming out of that game he brought up LSM Eric Vitale. “Vitale had a
heck of a game. I’ve never seen him play with that much heart in a game; he was really going
all out for us.” He also had mentioned how he was starting to see a lot of heart in the players and
thinks that this will continue to show in their upcoming games.
Speaking with Coach Pagano, and players about the upcoming schedule and, if they think it can
give them some momentum going into the upcoming playoffs I got a general answer of yes, but
we are going to have to work for it! Brophy, Davis, Gierl, and Coach Pagano all shared the same
statement that they do believe these next coming games can give them a push into playoffs as
long as they work hard in and out of practice. Coach mentioned a specific game versus a new
and improved Central Connecticut State. “They are a better team than they have been in the past.
They can play good lacrosse right now, and we are struggling possessing the ball and working it
around.” The Central game will be the last game of the year for the Bulldogs.
I am expecting the Bulldogs and Bears to meet again for the PCLL championship as they have
in the three years past. In that game I am going to go against all odds and say Briarcliffe shows
their heart, dedication, and determination and pulls out a two goal win over USCG pushing them
to their third straight MCLA championship week.
All in all it should be a great week for lacrosse in the MCLA for both divisions. On a non-
lacrosse note may all of our thoughts and prayers be sent to those affected by the Boston
bombing at the marathon this past Monday, and may the authorities find those responsible for
this terrible, cowardly act.
#BostonStrong
