Looking to bounce back

After starting the season with an outstanding 7-1 record, the Union Men’s Lacrosse team hit a bump in the road.

After reaching a rank of fifth in the county, the highest in the program’s history, the Dutchmen went into their game against Williams College perhaps a little too confident.

After trailing 5-2 entering the fourth quarter, Union scored four of the next five goals to tie the contest at six.

Senior midfielder Ethan Meyer scored three goals in the game, but two late fourth quarter goals propelled the Ephs over the Dutchmen.

Since losing to Williams, the men’s lacrosse team has gone 2-1. The team won a key game against rival RPI, where senior goalie Sean Aaron made 20 saves to help Union win an important Liberty League game.

However, in a showdown between two top 10 teams, Union lost to RIT after they dominated the second half.

With the game tied 5-5 in the third quarter, RIT took over the contest where they scored five unanswered goals to win 10-6.

The team bounced back in a big way on Senior Night, where they blew out visiting Vassar College 14-0.

The team honored their 10 seniors: Sean Aaron, Ethan Meyer, Jack Farrell, Ted McKenna, Nick Alfonzetti, Robert Sullivan, Matt Livingston, Taylor Galbraith and Jon Stidd.

Union had 11 different scorers in the game, where the Dutchmen completely dominated a less talented Vassar team. They commanded every aspect of the game. In particular, the Dutchmen out shot Vassar 50-10.

Union will travel to Saratoga Springs on Saturday to take on Skidmore College in its regular season finale.

With Union’s win against Vassar, the team clinched a spot in the Liberty League playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.

However, the team’s ultimate goal since the beginning of the season has been to make it back to the Division III tournament.

Last year, Union received a bid for the first time in the program’s history and this year’s team hopes to do the same.

First, Union plans to defend its title as Liberty League champions, where winning the conference would give the team an automatic bid into the national tournament. It is possible, however, for the team to receive an at-large bid if they win against Skidmore and reach at least the Liberty League finals.

Ultimately, Union’s success in the playoffs will be determined by whether or not they can generate enough offense.

Their recent 14-goal outburst certainly is optimistic for things to come, but it was also against a Vassar team who is winless in conference play.

If Union wants a Liberty League championship and a shot at a Division III title, the defense needs to continue to play strong and the team needs to generate a little more offense.