After opening the season 2-0, GCSU’s men’s club lacrosse team aimed to continue its early momentum during a weekend series against Florida A&M and South Florida on Feb. 28 and March 1.
The Bobcats won both matches, 9-6 over University of South Florida and 10-9 over Florida A&M. The victories extended the Bobcats’ strong start to the season and showcased the team’s ability to compete in close matchups. With the team maintaining their composure and pulling ahead when it mattered most, they have set themselves in a successful position.
Team Captain, Antonio Caiazzo, a sophomore pre-med major, discusses the importance of the team and why their club is essential.
“It’s important to raise awareness for the club and bring together a group of guys who have a common bond for the sport,” Caiazzo said.
Many students on campus may be unaware that GCSU offers a club lacrosse team. This is something players hope changes as the program continues to grow. The club provides an opportunity for students to stay competitive on campus while also building a close-knit community.
“It’s a really unique sport not a lot of people know about, especially in the south,” said Cager Perry, a freshman education major. “Getting the opportunity to play big teams like USF helps get our name and knowledge of the sport out there.”
Lacrosse has started becoming more prominent in the south, expanding beyond its original strongholds in the Northeast. With more high schools and colleges adding programs and expanding opportunities, players in these regions get a chance to explore a new sport and build a lasting relationship with teammates.
“We have won our league’s championship the last two years and would like to go for another win this season,” said CB Ritter, a sophomore political science major.
Still remaining undefeated, the Bobcats have a lot of anticipation for what’s to come in the remainder of their season and the possibility of another championship run. The team is focused on refining their strategy, building chemistry and facing increasingly competitive opponents.
For many players, the club offers more than just competition on the field. The experience of playing, traveling for games and representing GCSU has made the club an important part of students’ lives on campus.
“I would not trade it for the world and it gives me a chance to stay in shape, make friends and play the sport I love,” Ritter said.
Many students have they have been enjoying their time being a part of the club. The team is hoping to inspire more students to try lacrosse and help them be a great representation of GCSU.
“Anyone who played in high school, whether you were super competitive or just played for fun, should give our team a shot”, Ritter said.
Their next game is set to take place on March 3 at 11:00 a.m. against Georgia Southern at home. They encourage anyone and everyone to come out and support the team. For more information on how to sign up or to look at the future game schedule, their instagram panhandle is gcsu_mlax.
