By: Burke De Boer Sports Editor
Wolves lacrosse had their first home match of the fall season on Oct. 15. They hosted the Portland Rippers. In the cold wind and rain they took the Rippers to the wire, losing 11-12 in second overtime.
The loss of the game is not as important as the experience learned from playing. Lacrosse season is in the spring, and the fall season gives new players a chance to integrate and learn the system.
“We’re a relatively small and young team so we’re teaching all of our freshmen the offense and defense that we run,” said junior goalie Lake Larsen. Lacrosse is a club sport and Larsen is the president of the club. “Currently it’s fall ball so all of the games we’ve been playing are scrimmages. Fall ball is the time for the new recruits to play with some of the veterans to learn how each other play and develop chemistry.”
The team comes together now to build on a successful 2016 season.
They play in the Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League, Division II. Despite the Western program’s relative size, last year they finished second in the division to qualify for the April playoffs. They beat Central Washington in the first round in another double overtime game. Though you may not have known this by listening to the broadcast as the commentators called the winning team Eastern Oregon University throughout the first half of the game.
“They obviously didn’t know much about the Wolves,” said Samantha Dunaway, junior biology student. “But the team played really well last year. I don’t think anyone expected a small team from Monmouth to make the playoffs.”
The Wolves advanced to the semifinals before falling to Gonzaga.
First year long-stick middle player Jeron Knox is looking forward to the year ahead.
“Yesterday’s game showed the strides we have made since first practice. We have a lot of talent and great guys and I am excited to be a part of this team,” Knox said on Sunday.
The game was not your typical college matchup, as it was not a college matchup at all. The Portland Rippers are a team composed of former collegiate players who have graduated. Taking a team of veteran players to second overtime is no small feat for a club team still developing team chemistry and working towards the 2017 season.
Lake Larsen made the switch from baseball to lacrosse as a middle school student in Bend, Oregon. He never looked back, even in the rainy cold afternoon. “I wanted to play something faster paced and with more hitting. My little brother had been to some lacrosse summer camps in the past so we decided to quit baseball and start lacrosse. Probably one of the best choices I’ve made.”
Fall games continue through November. The 2017 season is set to pick up in February.
Larsen encourages everyone to check out the sport “If you haven’t watched lacrosse before, it is a fast paced, high scoring, exciting sport to watch. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @woulax.”
Your only chance to catch a fall home game will be the alumni game on Saturday, Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. The team plays on the Intramural Club Sports Field.
Contact the author at journalsports@wou.edu
