Coming off a highly successful 2010 campaign, Oregon club men’s lacrosse is ready to get 2011 back on track.
Last season, the Ducks won 11 of their 16 matches and finished atop the standings in the Pacific Northwest Collegiate Lacrosse League. The team earned an automatic berth at Nationals and had championship aspirations after being seeded sixth in the tournament.
“We took a big step forward last year,” head coach Joe Kerwin said.
Unfortunately, that big step soon became a stumbling block. Despite their league crown, Oregon’s potential run at glory ended quickly and with bitter disappointment. The Ducks were eliminated in the first round after a heartbreaking 9-8 loss to Colorado.
“We were a couple goals from going forward,” Kerwin said. “Change one or two plays, and we could have been there.”
The team was stunned by the close defeat, but had good reason to remain upbeat about the future. Oregon had 10 seniors returning for 2011, including last year’s PNCLL Defensive MVP, senior goalie Nick Johnston. In addition, the Ducks entered play ranked No. 7 in the country by the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association, the governing body for collegiate club lacrosse.
In short, the Ducks had the talent required of a top-flight program. They now faced the task of proving they had the heart and leadership necessary to win a championship.
“For our freshmen and younger players, our experience is a huge asset,” senior attacker Justin Eckenroad said. “Competitiveness in practice is really high. When we put it all together, we should be top three in the nation.”
According to the team’s latest benchmark, it has a long way to go.
Last weekend, Oregon took a pair of uncharacteristic losses during a road trip to California. The Ducks were blown out by California, 10-2, then fell to Santa Clara, 7-6.
“We’re much farther behind than what we expected,” Kerwin said. “This weekend was our first chance to see where we were at. We identified several things we need to do better. Improving is a week-to-week process.”
Luckily for Oregon, the players have plenty of time to get to work. The team’s two losses were their first official matches this year and don’t count toward the league record.
“These losses are going to light a fire under all of us — especially me,” Johnston said. “Right now, our biggest weakness is discipline. We can’t be worrying about girlfriends, school or work out there on the field. We’ve got to do the small things to make our teammates better.”
The players will depend greatly on the guidance of their head coach as they attempt to refine their play. Kerwin is entering his seventh season leading the club and boasts a 45-13 record during his tenure.
Under his guidance, the Ducks have earned five PNCLL Championships and have appeared at Nationals five times. Players have a deep respect for Kerwin as both as a strategist and a motivator.
“Joe is a great coach. He has so much knowledge about the game,” Johnston said. “We just have to believe in his system to take the next big step. He’s made some changes in the offense, and we need to make them work.”
“He knows all the ins and outs,” Eckenroad noted. “The losses have not been his fault. Ultimately, it falls on the players. This trip was a wake-up call.”
The Ducks still have plenty of time to elevate their play, and many players returned to Eugene this week unsatisfied. If the team’s demeanor is any indicator, Oregon’s potential to progress remains largely untapped.
“We are going to take the steps necessary to get to where we need to be,” Johnston said. “This is probably my last year playing lacrosse ever, and I’m going to make it count.”
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