LAX attacks the next round

The old adage in college sports is upperclassmen are needed to win, but the Keene State College men’s lacrosse team is showing youth can prove just as effective.

The Owls have been able to dominate their opponents offensively throughout the season. They outshot their opponents 624-489 and have outscored them 229-141 this year. One major reason for this offensive success is sophomore phenoms Griffin Meehan and Matt Schairer.

Meehan finished the regular season with 86 points, 56 goals and 30 assists. After this season, KSC will have to rewrite their record books.

“I had no idea that I set a record, but it’s a great honor,” Meehan said. “Individual awards are great, but I am more focused on helping the team win.”

Meehan’s 86 points broke the record for most points in a season of 78 set by Bob Bannes in 1999. He came short of tying the single season goal record by three and the assist record by four.

When watching a game, Meehan can almost get lost on the field. In a pre-game huddle before Saturday’s game, he got lost among his teammates.

“For my position you don’t have to be six-foot-three. I rely more on play angles, attack position, and being quick and shifty,” Meehan said.

Meehan finished the season first in total goals, assists and points in the Little East Conference. His numbers were impressive nationally as well, as he finished the year second in all of Division III in goals per game (3.73), and points (5.73) per game and number 19 in assists per game with two.

Schairer also had a great offensive season, as he added 49 goals of his own which was good enough for second in the LEC, behind Meehan. He ranked sixth on the national level with 3.27 goals per game.

The KSC men’s lacrosse team had a successful regular season. The Owls finished with an overall record of 10-5 and finished a perfect 7-0 in LEC games, the third time in their 12 year history. By winning their LEC games, the team clinched the number one seed for the conference tournament. The team also earned an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament for the third time in the history of the program.

“We had three goals at the beginning of the season,” Meehan said. “The first was to go undefeated, but that didn’t happen. The other two were to win the regular season LEC and then win the tournament. We got one down and one to go.”

The Owls dominated the LEC on their way to clinching the number one seed. Over the last four games, KSC has outscored their opponents 76-28.

With the number one seed, the Owls have earned a first round bye and won’t play until the semi-finals game Thursday, May 6 at KSC.

“Having home field advantage is huge,” Meehan explained. “Last year we had to travel to Eastern Connecticut State University and they had a weird turf to play on. By having home field advantage we know we’re comfortable. Plus, it’s always fun to play in front of the fans here.”

Although the team finished with a winning record and won the LEC, Meehan has some doubts heading into the national tournament.

“I’m not doubting our team’s ability because we are a good team, but a lot of those teams that are going to be in the NCAA tournament are better than us. If we get matched up against a low seed, we can make it past the first round,” Meehan said.

Whether Meehan is being modest or realistic will be determined in the Owls’ semi-final match. What the Owls can count on though, is Meehan and Schairer consistently being involved in the offense. Despite being a young team, the Owls have put themselves on the map.

Now that they will return next year with an NCAA tournament run, teams playing KSC will more than likely be paying extra attention to them on the schedule.

Chris Thelin can be contacted at cthelin@keeneequinox.com