After their tightly played 8-7 victory over Wheeling Jesuit last week, the University of Tampa’s lacrosse team is looking to maintain momentum and finish with a strong regular season. Currently the Spartan team is 4-1 in conference and 6-4 overall. Even though they have had a few losses this season, Coach Whipple does not see this as something to be worried about.
“Our schedule has improved from last year so we’re playing tougher opponents,” said Head Coach Rory Whipple. “We have had some difficult overtime losses like Dowling who was ranked No. 6 in the country at the time. Really it is just a matter of the fact that I think we are playing really strong defensively and we just need to start scoring more goals.”
Defensive player Eric Dance and fellow Offensive teammate Greg Griffo agree with Coach Whipple and add that they are ready to come back for the games coming up.
“I don’t believe anything is going on with the team even though we have had a few losses,” said Dance. “Recently we have been playing some really tough teams and we have started a little late.”
Even with the losses this season, the lacrosse team’s goal is to finish the season strong and play strong in the conference playoffs.
“We are just looking to win out,” said Griffo. “If we win the rest of the regular season games and conference then we have a shot at playoffs and that is our ultimate goal; making it to playoffs and continuing to do well from there.”
To prepare for the remaining games ahead and the conference championship, the team is continuing to play hard and to focus on the little things that can really make them a strong component to play against.
“I think we are just trying to keep to the same goals from before,” said Dance. “To make the NCAA’s and keep working as hard as we have and keep on turning up in practice, bringing that intensity and just to keep on working.”
Coming from the offensive side, they are hoping to tighten play up and focusing mentally.
“Ultimately our goal is to not lose another game this year,” said Whipple. Tampa next plays this Saturday at Lenoir-Rhyne.
Paige Shallcross can be reached at paige.shallcross@spartans.ut.edu.