BYU men’s lacrosse sets sight on championship run

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Brigham Young University men’s lacrosse team will begin their quest for a championship May 13, in Greenville, S.C. as a No. 4 seed facing No. 13 seed Grand Canyon University.

BYU’s team appears poised for a good showing as they have played well heading into the 16-team Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association tournament.

“We are playing great lacrosse right now,” Coach Matt Schneck said. “I think as we go into the tournament, there’s going to be a tremendous opportunity to go deep into the tournament and make it to the championship.”

BYU's Mike Fabrizio takes a shot in a game this season. (Photo by Elliott Miller)
BYU’s Mike Fabrizio takes a shot. (Photo by Elliott Miller)

The team enters the tournament battle tested with an overall record of 14–4 after a very difficult regular season schedule.

“We play in what many would consider the toughest conference in the country,” Schneck said.

Out of the 16 teams to make this year’s tournament, Schneck said his team has already played eight of them and defeated five of those eight teams.

Last year, BYU entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed and advanced to the semifinals before losing to the eventual champion, Colorado State.

BYU typically must endure a high turnover of players each year while upholding its reputation of being a top program and this year was no different. The coaches utilize difficult schedules each year to prepare the young players for this tournament.

“It takes longer for our team to hit its potential and gel,” Schneck said. “We have a lot of young guys we are typically trying to get up to speed.”

Through the tough schedule during the season, Schneck said the young players have shown their talent while continually developing into better players.

Though the team would love to exceed last year’s success, the team cannot afford to look past the first round against Grand Canyon.

“Our objective this week, honestly, is just one game and that’s Grand Canyon,” Schneck said.

With a victory, BYU would advance to the quarterfinals and face the winner of Chapman and Oregon on Tuesday, May 14 at 4:30 p.m.

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