After a solid win on Saturday against a tough SFA team, SU suited up again on Sunday to host TCU, a Div. A team playing down in Div. B this year after a brief two year hiatus.

The last time the two teams met, SU came out with an unbelievable win in double overtime three years ago. The previous four years before that, TCU always had the Buc's number.

SU knew that TCU had solid players at all positions, and wanted to come out firing on all cylinders. That is exactly what it did. Shortly after the game started, Sr. attackman Frank Makal, who finished with four goals on the day, made two quick point blank shots to get SU on the board. The Bucs never looked back. In fact, by the end of one, SU had gone on a scoring spree to take a 9-0 lead, with goals from Gainey, Jones, Wersonske, Daulton and Kerr.

The second stanza proved to be more of the same as SU was able to control every facet of the game, and every corner of the field. By half-time, SU had a commanding 12-0 lead, and everyone available on the bench had already seen considerable playing time except Patten, the back up goalie.

Coach had every intention of putting Patten in until the team was informed that in its 22 year history, the SU lacrosse team had only managed two shutouts. Patten graciously agreed that Jake should stay in until the first goal was scored, to see if he could preserve the elusive lacrosse shutout.

Patten is the spiritual leader of the team, finding ways to help the team get prepared each week in practice, and willing to step in at a moments notice. Unfortunately for him, Jake and the young defense played exceptionally well.

Jake, a freshman goalie, new to the game of lacrosse, had never picked up a stick until August, and did not decide to play goalie until September. He is an amazing athlete who has literally, along with the new defense, provided a much needed spark to our team in areas where, at the beginning of the year, we were very nervous.

With TCU already out of the game, the second half was reduced to 11 minute quarters and they went very fast. The fourth line of Samples, Orr, and Lockwood saw considerable playing time, and did very well. The entire team took it upon themselves to help Jake preserve the shutout, and even added one goal in each of the last two quarters.

Of the 14 SU goals, 7 were assisted. Om Panchal, a junior middie notched his first goal of his career. It was one that was a long time coming. Weldon and MacConnell both had assists as well. Daulton added two more goals, and Gainey had his customary brilliant day at the office.

The game ball had to go to Jake for the first shutout in over ten years. But a second game ball was given to So. D-man Travis Nelson who played an exceptional game along with the depleted d- line of Gette and Claiborn. Nelson has stepped into the starting role this year and surpassed all expectations.

The wins over SFA and TCU, both conference games, put SU in the driver's seat for a playoff spot come April. However, SU will be a much different team on the road, and will find out exactly how well it can play this coming weekend as it travels to Arlington for the first ever NORTEX tournament. The tourney will host teams from conferences all over the nation.

With Jeffcoat and Claiborn missing from an already depleted d- line, SU will play UC-Irvine from the west Coast Lacrosse League (WCLL) on Saturday. On Sunday it will have a chance to play Nicholls State (NSU), the only team to beat SU last year in conference play, and the team that knocked the Bucs out of the playoffs in the semi-finals.

We appreciate all the support the fans at SU have been providing, even in not so perfect weather conditions. The team would also like to thank Ian Daulton's parents for setting up a photographer for team photographs for the first time ever.

We look forward to seeing everyone in two weeks at home against Austin College on Gainey's birthday, and Parents Weekend.

Bill Bowman

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