The College of DuPage (COD) men’s Lacrosse played their final preseason game against the Carthage College Firebirds, a NCAA Division III program, on Feb. 28. The Chaps are preparing to play their third lacrosse season in their program’s history, where in their first year they went 5-4, then 3-6 the next.
In the first half of the game, both the Chaps and the Firebirds were trading leads. The most COD could get was a two point lead over Carthage, with the two teams becoming aggressive at times despite some penalty flags being thrown on the field. Come halftime, COD had a 6-5 lead.
In the second half, Carthage had total control of the game, tying it, then taking a huge lead as the third quarter ended with the Firebird leading 6-12. The fourth quarter went a bit better for the Chaps. COD managed to score goals but couldn’t get any momentum that changed the tide of the game. The Firebirds scored more to keep COD away and the game ended with a final score of 11-18.
After the game, head coach Bill Sanford talked about how well the first half of the game went, and then changed the roster in the second half to give more players to be ready.
“We came out with what we set out to do, which was to win the first half,” Sanford said. “[In the] second half, we got into our bench and a lot of guys got a lot of experience. We need to clean up a bunch of things but overall it was a good day.”
Sanford said the team looks to create a well-balanced roster with plenty of chemistry for the upcoming season.
“Continue team chemistry, regardless of who’s in the game,” he said. “Just more depth, more guys can step in there and keep the level of play high. And then just always working on more discipline.”
As the COD men’s lacrosse team enters their third season, they also look to start pushing to qualify for the national tournament.
“We need to stay healthy in order to do that,” Sanford said. “But [also to] continuing to raise the academic standards, the athletic standards every year. Preaching the same message and keeping [the team] on the program.”
Freshman Sean Christoffel, the face-off get off specialist, said the team is feeling optimistic for the season.
“We gotta keep composure,” Christoffel said. “That’s about it. We’re a great group of guys, probably one of the best that we’ve ever seen at the school. [This is] probably the best year we’ve had. It’s all about just being better and playing our style across.”
Christoffel discussed how the team will prepare for their first real game of the season.
“We’re going out, so it’s gonna be a little bit of a drive,” he said. “But the biggest thing is sleeping right, eating well and staying focused for this next week.”
The Chaps will head to Davenport, IA. to play against the St. Ambrose University Bees on March 5, at 5:00 p.m. Then on March 7, the Chaps will head to Geneva, OH. to play against the Harford Community College Fighting Owls at 11:00 a.m. EST, 10:00 a.m. CST.
