Spring Break
Club lacrosse seeking championship
JORDAN SILVER
Issue date: 5/1/07 Section: Sports
The University men's club lacrosse team is going to the Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association National Championship tournament after a thrilling come-from-behind win against Florida 13-12 on April 22.
Georgia's win against Florida clinched the SELC Championship for the Bulldogs - a feat that has not been accomplished since 1998.
"They never quit believing they would beat Florida," said Coach Jason Slider. "They knew they were better than them."
Slider, who is in his third year as Georgia lacrosse head coach, has known his players have been good all along.
"They finally realized how good they were and they did what it took to win those close games," Slider said. "They could have easily just given up, but they really stepped up."
Watson Bryant, a senior attacker for the Bulldogs, is relieved to have come this far.
"It feels great to just finally get out of the SELC," Bryant said. "It is a pretty good way to cap off my senior season, to play for the national championship and to keep Florida from winning a championship."
The players attribute their success this year to better chemistry and better talent.
"The level of talent is much greater this year," said senior Kevin Magyar. "It really helps having newer players, such as Shaun McGahon, giving us some points."
McGahon, a junior transfer, has played lacrosse since fourth grade and is pleased being in the new environment.
"I was pleasantly surprised that everyone was so good," McGahon said. "This is a good opportunity and we should do pretty well."
Matt Smith, a junior and the starting goalie for the team, is a vocal leader on the field and knows that with his position comes a lot of pressure.
"A lot of attention falls on you, but I like that
attention," Smith said.
"I'm excited to get a shot at those top-rated teams."
The seniors, who are happy with Smith's performance, have been waiting patiently to go to Dallas and play for the national championship.
"We're excited to finally get there. We have been waiting four years," senior Palmour Rollins said. "Getting to know each other better over the years has been very helpful."
Rollins, who according to Bryant is "the fastest guy I have ever seen in my life," is proud that he can graduate on a positive note.
"It has been a great experience," Rollins said. "Closing out the career by beating Florida to win the SELC was definitely the way to close out."
The Bulldogs will go to Dallas to compete in the MCLA National Championship tournament from May 15-19.
Georgia's win against Florida clinched the SELC Championship for the Bulldogs - a feat that has not been accomplished since 1998.
"They never quit believing they would beat Florida," said Coach Jason Slider. "They knew they were better than them."
Slider, who is in his third year as Georgia lacrosse head coach, has known his players have been good all along.
"They finally realized how good they were and they did what it took to win those close games," Slider said. "They could have easily just given up, but they really stepped up."
Watson Bryant, a senior attacker for the Bulldogs, is relieved to have come this far.
"It feels great to just finally get out of the SELC," Bryant said. "It is a pretty good way to cap off my senior season, to play for the national championship and to keep Florida from winning a championship."
The players attribute their success this year to better chemistry and better talent.
"The level of talent is much greater this year," said senior Kevin Magyar. "It really helps having newer players, such as Shaun McGahon, giving us some points."
McGahon, a junior transfer, has played lacrosse since fourth grade and is pleased being in the new environment.
"I was pleasantly surprised that everyone was so good," McGahon said. "This is a good opportunity and we should do pretty well."
Matt Smith, a junior and the starting goalie for the team, is a vocal leader on the field and knows that with his position comes a lot of pressure.
"A lot of attention falls on you, but I like that
attention," Smith said.
"I'm excited to get a shot at those top-rated teams."
The seniors, who are happy with Smith's performance, have been waiting patiently to go to Dallas and play for the national championship.
"We're excited to finally get there. We have been waiting four years," senior Palmour Rollins said. "Getting to know each other better over the years has been very helpful."
Rollins, who according to Bryant is "the fastest guy I have ever seen in my life," is proud that he can graduate on a positive note.
"It has been a great experience," Rollins said. "Closing out the career by beating Florida to win the SELC was definitely the way to close out."
The Bulldogs will go to Dallas to compete in the MCLA National Championship tournament from May 15-19.
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