Fresh off their first winning season since 2012, the No. 14 Georgetown men’s lacrosse team (0-0, Big East) opens its 2016 campaign with a neutral-site matchup against No. 1 Notre Dame (0-0, ACC) for the Cobb County Classic in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Georgetown Athletics
Facing the No. 1 team in the country will be quite the challenge for Head Coach Kevin Warne and his team, but he feels they’re up to it.
“I think it’s exciting for the guys,” said Warne. “We have an awesome opportunity to play No. 1. On paper, they’re really really good.”
Warne enters his fourth year at the helm for the Hoyas, now with all players he directly recruited. It certainly has helped this season, as everyone knows the winning culture and system that Warne wants to build.
“I think now the guys know what to expect,” said Warne. “I think that’s been a huge thing.”
This year’s squad comes off a 10-6 season that saw the Hoyas narrowly miss out on the NCAA Tournament. The Blue and Gray are expected to be near the top of the Big East standings again this season behind reigning national champion No. 2 Denver. The Hoyas were picked to finish second in the preseason coaches’ poll behind the Pioneers.
“We’re not going to sneak up on anybody this year. I think our guys understand now that when we play somebody, we will get respect and a target will be a little bit on our back,” said Warne.
“We got to be ready to understand that when we step out on the field, our opponents are going to give us our best shot.”
With three Preseason All-Big East selections on the team including sophomore goalkeeper Nick Marrocco, junior midfielder Peter Conley, and sophomore midfielder Craig Berge, Warne is excited about the potential of this team.
“I think this is probably the most athletic team we’ve had.”
The team’s season opener against Notre Dame offers a tremendous opportunity to start the season on the right note. Unlike years past, Warne feels that his team has the confidence necessary to pull out a win against the country’s top team.
“I think that our guys are up to the challenge,” said Warne. “This year is different in that guys know if we play well, we can absolutely win the game.”
