On Sunday, The Buc's made the short trip down to St. Ed's in Austin to play the very tough Hilltoppers on one of the nicest fields in the league.

St. Ed's, the Pre-season #5 in the nation, has lost some key players through graduation after their amazing undefeated run last year. Early on, St. Ed's had been inconsistent, but a recent win over #6 KSU, and some other solid wins this year, have shown that St. Ed's has skipped the traditional rebuilding year, and is vying for a playoff spot.

In fact, Southwestern could all but wrap up a spot with a win, and St. Ed's would all but be eliminated with a loss. A lot to play for on the day, not to mention the taste SU had in its mouth after being demolished last year.

SU came out fired up and really never looked back. Bier was only able to play for 2 quarters before he had to go an support Julie, who has been a tireless supporter of the team, as she presented her thesis at UT. Congrats Julie!!

Bier dominated face-offs until he left, and SU dominated St. Ed's in all facets of the game. SU notched the first goal of the day on an assist from Jeffcoat to Gainey at the 11:30 mark, and really never looked back.

By the end of one, SU led 4-1, and at the end of 2, SU led 8-2.

Once Bier left, Daulton stepped in where Bier left off and did not miss a beat, winning all but one face-off, and losing that one on a procedure call.

As SU came out in the third, SU extended its lead to 10-2 before St. Ed's scored two with under four minutes in the quarter to enter the final stanza down 10-4.

As the fourth started, SU tried to do something it has not been able to do to well all year, hold a lead by controlling tempo.

Contrary to the coaches wishes, the team forced passes, were lazy on defense, and got beat by a very good fast breaking St. Ed's team several times.

With all that, however, St. Ed's trailed 11-6 with four minutes left, but reeled off three goals, two in the last minute of the game off a botched fast break by SU, the last coming with 5 seconds left to play to bring the final score to 11-9.

Overall, St. Ed's played a great game, but the game was not as close as the score indicated. SU will have to work on ball control and tempo, especially against some of the teams coming up, and as the defensive pressure stiffens, as it did with St. Ed's at the end.

Before Bier left, he notched a goal. The game ball went to Ehrlich for his inspired play in goal, shutting down the shooters of St. Ed's time and again, and positioning himself perfectly in goal all day. A close runner up for game ball, however was Dave Emmel, who has quickly turned into a legitimate 6th scoring option for the team. Emmel had 2G and 2A for the day, along with the usual numbers from the attack. Gainey has been a welcome addition after his hiatus and continues to place the attack at a level that SU has not seen in quite a while.

Overall a very balanced game as only 3 of the 11 goals were unassisted, and the ball was spread around the entire field.

The defense played exceptionally well, and what was a liability at the beginning of the year, is starting to become a very solid unit, with strong depth. Sholars especially played a great game.

The win put the newly ranked #20 team in the nation at 6-2 overall, and at 6-1 in conference, with almost a lock at their first playoff spot in almost 10 years, and the first in Coach Bowman's 7 year tenure.

The Bucs still have some things to work on, but have improved and are a very dangerous team, considering all the players get some playing time in every game through rotations.

SU is off for twelve deserved days, after over 30 practices, wet weather, and snow, for Spring Break. No rest, however, as SU hosts #12 in the nation against Southwest Missouri State (SMS) the Tuesday after arriving back from Spring Break under the lights in Georgetown, and follows that up with ekend in the Dallas are, for a total of 3 games in 6 days.

Hopefully SU will be up to the challenge against a team as good as SMS, and will be watching very closely as UTA travels to play SMS over the break.

Currently SU is tied for first in the LSA Div. B with NSU and UTA, but has more wins than anyone. Only games against Austin College and UT-Arlington remain for playoff standings and seeding for the Bucs.

In between, SU will get a chance to see how good it is against nationally ranked and Div. A teams as this surprise year continues to unfold.

Thanks to all the parents and fans that came out to support the Bucs on the most beautiful day of the year. We are glad you are along for the ride, and like you are looking forward to the next turn in the road.

Back to Men's Schedule/Results (2004)
Back to Men's Lacrosse Home
Back to Lacrosse Home