PRIDE ATHLETICS: LACROSSE PREVIEW

Trinity-Pawling Lacrosse

Pride Lacrosse

Coach: Andrew Kirkaldy

Last year’s record: 6-9

Returners: Seniors — Zack Conlan (D), Scott Stensrud (D, Navy), Ryan McBeth (M, Binghamton), Brett Ginac (M, Gettysburg), Griffin Moore (M, Dickinson), Jack Haims (M, Colorado College), Chad Langdon (G); Juniors — Kyle Playsted (A), CK Giancola (M), Solomon Hess (LSM), Eric Suits (G)

New Faces: PG — Daniel Manning (D, UVM), Timothy Manning (D, UVM), Nick Morgan (LSM, Hampton Sydney), Richie LaCalandra (A, Albany), Cole McKenzie (A, UVM), Andrew Poynton (FOGO, Endicott); Juniors — Jake Giannone (G); Sophomores — Stuart Phillips (A), Matt Bologna (M)

On a four-day trip to Florida this March, the 2019 Trinity-Pawling lacrosse team held seven practices and competed in three games. The Pride handled the University of Tampa freshman team 10-6, and smoked Tabor Academy 12-6. Although their goal was to come out unscathed, the Pride dropped their contest to IMG, one of the top-ranked teams in the nation.

The 2019 Pride defense will be anchored by returners Conlan and Stensrud with fresh size from the Manning twins that Coach Kirkaldy says will intimidate opponents before the opening faceoff. Kirkaldy is confident in all three of his goalies, noting that they continue to compete in practice for a starting spot on opening day.

PG Andrew Poynton looks to dominate on faceoffs in a new league this spring. He’s joined by a core of returning senior middies boasting McBeth’s offensive talent, Ginac’s all-around utility, and Moore’s strength. Newcomer Matt Bologna will add speed to this group. Returning attackman Kyle Playsted will aim to gel with PGs Lacalandra and McKenzie with support from Canadian sophomore Stuart Phillips.

With 11 players committed to play collegiate lacrosse before the season begins, Kirkaldy has posed an introspective question to his team, “How do we define success?” For now, his answer lies in John Wooden’s adage on effort: ‘Success is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming.’ Kirkaldy implores his players to focus on themselves instead of their opponents. “At the end of the day, we can only control what we do.”

Thanks to the generous donors who make the Pride spring training trips possible.

Come to Trinity-Pawling for the lacrosse home opener against Loomis Chaffee on Wednesday, April 3, at 3:30.

If you can’t make it back to campus, tune in to watch Lacrosse games live on our YouTube channel.

by Cyrus Rothwell-Ferraris