In the past month the men’s lacrosse team has had a couple of close games including a 6-2 loss to Trine University on April 16 and a 15-9 loss to Benedictine University on March 30 — a loss that would have been closer were it not for a 5-0 deficit for Calvin in the first quarter.
They also had a dominating 18-1 victory against Carroll University on April 2. The team has experienced a lull since that game. Going into this past Wednesday in a home game against Albion College the team had lost three straight games, all against conference opponents.
Albion came into the game at the top of the MIAA with a 3-0 conference record, which starkly contrasted Calvin’s 0-3 conference record. The first quarter ended in Calvin’s favor after junior Joel Schaefer scored off of an assist from junior Chris Griffin.
Calvin’s 1-0 quickly dissipated in the second quarter as the Knights were down 9-3 at halftime. Albion ended up winning the game 15-9.
The story is in the statistics as Albion had 12 more shots on goal, five less turnovers and three more assists than Calvin. Albion’s team also has 13 more players on its roster than Calvin, giving Albion the advantage of being able to rest more players. Griffin and Schaefer both had three goals and first-year student Jonathan Miller had two goals and one assist.
According to Miller one of the team’s goals for the game was to increase the time in which they possessed the ball.
“Albion is the best team in our conference,” said Miller. “We could have done better — we can always do better. But I’m proud of the guys and I think they played well.”
Head coach Luke Griemsman wanted his team to keep playing with their heads held high.
“One of the things we have been focusing on is playing with pride,” said Griemsman. “We are not going back to the bad habits we have had. We have to try to battle through the whole game and that is a tough thing with the limited numbers we have. Things could be a lot worse but it is the pride that we just kept going back to and it helped us today.”
Calvin also played the game while supporting and honoring the Headstrong Foundation, whose mission statement says that they try “improving quality of life for those affected by cancer.” Fans were encouraged to wear lime green and to help raise awareness for the foundation and those affected by cancer.
Men’s lacrosse will next play this Saturday, April 23, at Adrian College at 3 p.m.
