As most of you know, particularly regular readers, my daughter Stephanie is a lacrosse player and play for the the 15th ranked (NCAA Division II) Lindenwood Lions, and today they played the 1st ranked Adelphi Panthers in St. Charles, Missouri.

In the lacrosse college lacrosse community, I believe many people were expecting a blowout. Lindenwood is only in its third year of NCAA II lacrosse, but had been for years prior dominant in the ranks below. Adelphi on the other hand is a seasoned program that is primarily an east coast recruiter and a dominant force in D2 lacrosse.

But the game was very competitive and very close, 13 to 11 in fact.  And although Adelphi may retain their ranking, as a former coach (for just the time being) I believe the game hurt them more than the Lions.  I wouldn’t be surprised to find the Lions move up in rank from the game too.  The scales only tipped away in the final few minutes when a referee made a call resulting in a “yellow card” for a Lindenwood player.  It was a VERY questionable call as the game was important and close.  It was indeed a foul, but it was not severe enough to warrant a card and take the Lions down a player.  A ref really decided a game of that importance with a questionable call.  And it is something that drives you wild as a coach whether you are on the sidelines or not.  It was irresponsible and unfortunate.  Yet, as a former athlete and coach, it is ALWAYS a part of the game.  And you have to play around it sometimes to win.

But the loss for the girls was hard on them, and now the challenge really begins.  They are 2-1 in a long and IMPORTANT season with a lot to go.  Now the challenge is to keep their heads in the game, as they will need it.  They have 2 other top 15 teams to face yet, and most others are no slackers either.

But there is nothing to ever be ashamed of.  The Lions almost took out the top team in the country!  I am excited for them, as everyone else will have heard of this game and will now fear who they are!  Way to go Lions!

Goodnight my friends and God Bless!


Tommy+