The N.C. State men’s club lacrosse team has playoff aspirations for the 2014 season. After barely missing the MCLA regional playoffs last year, the team will look to make a run toward the postseason in the spring season.
The Wolfpack lacrosse club (5-2) plays in the Northeast division of the Southeastern Lacrosse Conference alongside South Carolina, East Carolina, Wake Forest and Clemson.
Coming off a season where two early division losses doomed the team, the Pack looks primed to make a playoff run.
Head coach Chip Thurston said he is confident that the club can finish toward the top of the division.
“Our chances are real good to make the playoffs,” Thurston said. “With trained defensemen, strong attack and a returning midfield. We have all the ingredients to be a successful program in the spring.”
The club is nearing the end of its fall season, with only one game left in 2013. The fall season is the equivalent of a preseason before conference play in the spring.
“Fall ball is an opportunity to teach the new guys coming in,” Thurston said. “It gives everyone a chance to learn the system and develop their skills, and [the coaching staff and captains can] teach them the different part of how they operate.”
Senior defender Kevin Dunaway, president and captain of the club, has been pleased with the team’s performance this fall.
“This fall, I think the level of play has been pretty good,” Dunaway said. “Where we are this fall is better than where we’ve been in years past. [Our play this fall] is a good building block for the spring. I think the spring looks pretty bright for us.”
The Pack is coming off an appearance in the ECU Pirate Invitational. The tournament included round-robin play on Saturday, in which State recorded two wins, including one against division opponent ECU.
“Anytime we go into ECU, it’s a rivalry,” junior midfielder Nathan Poulos said. “Guys that might not have ever played before could be out there, but we still look forward to that game.”
Dunaway and Poulos, who also serve as team captains, are not the only two returning players.
Several starters from last season, such as Bill Nifong, return to play for the club this season. Nifong led the team in goals last season.
“Before practice we all hang out and talk,” sophomore midfielder Jonah Marsland said. “The captains really emphasized getting to know everyone and how they play.”
Marsland is a newcomer to the team this season, but he has adjusted to the system nicely.
“All of the freshmen have been buying into the program and giving it all they have,” Poulos said. “You can’t build a team when people aren’t buying in.”
One big setback for the Pack has been the loss of its goalkeeper Ray Distefano, who graduated earlier this year. Distefano was a two-time SELC Honorable Mention All-Conference goalie and posted a .704 save percentage.
“[Distefano] was a big loss for us,” Dunaway said. “We have two [new goalies, freshman Nicholas Marcellino and sophomore Brady Edwards,] who have done a really good job handling the pressure. It’s good to have two guys out there. It breeds competition and helps both of them get better.”
The Pack’s last match of the fall is this Sunday at 1 p.m. on Method Road Field. The game will feature alumni of the lacrosse club facing off against the current team.
