Dragons lacrosse shows promise past this season
Bobby Franklin
Issue date: 2/23/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
After over 17,000 shocked Creighton basketball fans filed out of the Qwest Center following their heavily favored team's defeat at the hands of the Dragons, Drexel made headlines as one of the most impressive road warriors of the year. Then, just 15 hours later, the Dragons' lacrosse team made school history by pulling out an even more surprising win by upsetting top-ranked University of Virginia, 11-10. In an ending that Hollywood couldn't even script, Dragons freshman Colin Ambler scored to tie the game with 10 seconds left, and then made the stunning game-winning shot with three seconds remaining in the game. It is the first time a Drexel team has ever defeated a No. 1-ranked opponent.
Even more impressive was the fact that the Virginia team they beat completely dominated college lacrosse last year, going undefeated throughout the regular season and winning the national championship in front of 47,000 fans that packed the stands of Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
They won their games by an average of eight goals, and had won 19 straight home games before the Drexel loss. While the team has lost talent to graduation (including three first-team All-Americans, headlined by Matt Ward), they also return four other All-Americans and sophomore Danny Glading, whom many consider to be one of the best young players in the sport.
What does this mean for the future of the Drexel lacrosse program, now ranked No. 17 in the country? It is hard to tell after just one game, but the win definitely bodes well for this season and recruiting efforts. Senior Adam Crystal and junior Steve Grossi were named Preseason Honorable Mention All-American selections by Inside Lacrosse magazine, while newcomer Ambler is now also receiving national attention after his amazing performance in the Virginia win. Seventh-year coach Chris Bates has done a great job in turning the traditionally struggling team into one that nobody wants to play, and he has earned accolades from many of the sport's top coaches.
However, the Dragons play in the Colonial Athletic Association, one of the strongest conferences in the country, which includes perennial powers Towson, Hofstra and Delaware, all currently ranked in the top 20. Beating these teams out for an elusive NCAA tournament bid would be difficult, so it will be tough for the team to make it deep into the playoffs anytime soon.
Nevertheless, the team's stunning win over the defending national champion brings excitement to a university that generally struggles in athletics outside of basketball. With college lacrosse being one of the country's fastest growing sports, it will definitely be interesting to see how the Dragons can do in the spotlight.
Even more impressive was the fact that the Virginia team they beat completely dominated college lacrosse last year, going undefeated throughout the regular season and winning the national championship in front of 47,000 fans that packed the stands of Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
They won their games by an average of eight goals, and had won 19 straight home games before the Drexel loss. While the team has lost talent to graduation (including three first-team All-Americans, headlined by Matt Ward), they also return four other All-Americans and sophomore Danny Glading, whom many consider to be one of the best young players in the sport.
What does this mean for the future of the Drexel lacrosse program, now ranked No. 17 in the country? It is hard to tell after just one game, but the win definitely bodes well for this season and recruiting efforts. Senior Adam Crystal and junior Steve Grossi were named Preseason Honorable Mention All-American selections by Inside Lacrosse magazine, while newcomer Ambler is now also receiving national attention after his amazing performance in the Virginia win. Seventh-year coach Chris Bates has done a great job in turning the traditionally struggling team into one that nobody wants to play, and he has earned accolades from many of the sport's top coaches.
However, the Dragons play in the Colonial Athletic Association, one of the strongest conferences in the country, which includes perennial powers Towson, Hofstra and Delaware, all currently ranked in the top 20. Beating these teams out for an elusive NCAA tournament bid would be difficult, so it will be tough for the team to make it deep into the playoffs anytime soon.
Nevertheless, the team's stunning win over the defending national champion brings excitement to a university that generally struggles in athletics outside of basketball. With college lacrosse being one of the country's fastest growing sports, it will definitely be interesting to see how the Dragons can do in the spotlight.
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