Sports
Men’s and women’s lax look to improve in 2015
By Max Newman ’16
February 20, 2015
As the season quickly approaches, the men’s lacrosse team is preparing for its first game against Wesleyan on Feb. 28.
The Continentals struggled last season with a record of 5-9, but they are full of potential this year with key returning players. Two-time NESCAC all-conference defenseman Dylan Lahey ’15, attackmen Sam Sweet ’16, Connor Morgan ’15 and John Zimmerman ’15 and faceoff specialist Trip Connors ’17 have the talent to bring the team back to the NESCAC playoffs. In 2012 and 2013, the team reached the NESCAC championship quarterfinals.
Although the NESCAC is one of the most competitive DIII leagues in the nation, the team now has many experienced players that hope to bring the team above .500 this season. Lahey led the defense in 2014 with 18 caused turnovers and 33 ground balls.
On the offensive side, Morgan led the team with 31 goals, which ranked him seventh in the conference. Zimmerman contributed 23 assists and was eighteenth in the league in points per game.
Bryan Hopper ’14 is the team’s biggest loss this season. Hopper, who was a two-time all conference selection at midfield, played in the 2014 U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Division III North/South Senior All-Star Game.
The Continentals’ most threatening opponent is the defending DIII champion Tufts University. The Jumbos are coming off of a 21-2 record (9-1 NESCAC play) with a 21-9 defeat of Salisbury University.
As only two weeks of training remain until the start of the season, the Continentals are practicing hard despite harsh weather conditions. While last year the team was 3-3 away, they struggled at home with a 1-5 record. With senior leadership and experience, the team has a great opportunity to improve this season.
The women’s lacrosse team hopes to continue the program’s reputation as a DIII powerhouse.
A little history: The Continentals have seven NCAA championship appearances, 333 all-time victories, were the 2008 NCAA DIII national champions, 2009 NCAA semifinalists and 2010 runner-ups.
These statistics prove the consistency of the team’s performance over the past decade. If the pieces fall correctly, you may see the women heading back to the NCAA championships this year.
Although the team struggled last season with a 6-8 record (2-8 NESCAC play), this year provides great opportunities with the leadership of Margaret Gabriel ’16.
2014 all-region selection, Gabriel will chief the offensive attack this year. Last season, she had 21 goals, 14 assists, 35 draw controls and 16 caused turnovers.
Gabriel will receive help from Casey File ’17, who ranked tenth in conference in draw controls per game in her first season at Hamilton. Similar to the mens side, the women’s conference is considered one of the top conferences in DIII lacrosse.
The team will need young talent to step up this year with the loss of key 2014 graduates Alice Grant and four-year starter Katie D’Antonio. Grant led the NESCAC in ground balls per game and D’Antonio had 112 career goals and 50 assists in her 68 played games.
The team’s first game is on Feb. 28 against Wesleyan on Steuben Field. After the following games against William Smith, Colby and Bowdoin, the team will travel to Clermont, Florida over spring break and take on Keene State in an exhibition match.