Taylor University lacrosse is off to a blistering 4-1 start to the season.
Over the course of their non-conference schedule, the Trojans have taken care of business against some top teams in the NAIA, building momentum and confidence early.
One key to their success has been continuity. They returned 17 of 27 players and eight of 10 starters, giving the roster valuable experience in key situations.
“Continuity is important for us,” head coach Chad Newhard said. “Continuing to grow with each other and develop is important. This (team success) is what can happen when our guys believe in each other. It’s been fun.”
Taylor opened the season with their highest ranking ever as a program, debuting at No. 10. They proved they earned that ranking in their first game of the season when they knocked off No. 4 Webber International in double overtime, securing the biggest upset win in program history.
Taylor dropped their second game to Savannah College of Art and Design before rattling off three straight wins. The purple and gray defeated Point University 14-10 on the road. They returned home for a clash with the Cougars of Mount Vernon Nazarene in front of a strong home crowd.
“It’s a special game for us because we get to show that they’re (Mount Vernon) little brother,” Senior defender Lucas Pacer said. “They came out and they didn’t have the fire like we did. They didn’t want it like us.”
The Trojans easily routed the Cougars, defeating them 14-10 in a physical, fast-paced matchup. Sophomore midfielder Henry Cooper had three goals and an assist. Pacer did his part on the defensive side, collecting seven ground balls and anchoring the defense.
After their win against MVNU, Taylor set another record for highest ranking as a program, reaching No. 8 in the second poll of the year. Coach Newhard said while the ranking is nice, it doesn’t change the team’s focus or its daily preparation.
“I’m happy for our team because that’s a team recognition, but we still just want to be the best team we can be,” Newhard said. “We should let it fuel us to know that we have an opportunity to do something that we’ve never done before and it’s exciting to think about.”
After the game against St. Ambrose was canceled, Taylor took on Missouri Baptist University. The Trojans secured a decisive 18-11 victory, with nearly everyone getting involved. Junior attackman Jackson Dale had a career-defining performance, notching seven goals, an assist and a caused turnover.
Junior goalie Ben Harrell had a stellar performance, saving 13 shots. He also got in on the offensive action with an assist to Dale late in the first period. Junior faceoff specialist Dave Celesti scored on a fastbreak after the faceoff early in the second period, helping shift momentum.
Missouri Baptist tried mounting a comeback, even coming back to tie it midway through the contest. However, Taylor was able to regain control in the second half and hold on for their third consecutive win. The Trojans are now looking forward to the gauntlet that is the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference.
The Trojans open up conference play on the road at Lawerence Tech on March 11. They are receiving votes for the Top 10 and continue climbing in national recognition. The team returns to Wheeler Field for their next two games. On March 14, they will face No. 6 Indiana Tech followed by No. 3 Aquinas on March 21 in what could be defining early conference battles.
