The University of Mary Washington men’s lacrosse team turned in an 8-7 season in 2009, and spent a portion of the season on the cusp of the national rankings. The Eagles, who play in one of the top NCAA Division III lacrosse conference in the nation, continued to excel against a very formidable schedule both in the league and against non-conference opponents.
The Eagles opened the season with a 16-8 victory over Virginia Wesleyan College, in which senior Sean Brown scored five goals; the Eagles broke open a close game with a 6-0 scoring advantage in the second quarter. UMW improved to 2-0 on the year with its second straight victory over an ODAC opponent, this time on the road at Hampden-Sydney College. After a scoreless first quarter, the Eagles remained close before posting seven fourth-quarter goals in the 9-7 win. Seniors Charlie White and Brent Fisk each scored three times in the win.
UMW tasted its first defeat of the season in a 6-5 loss to nationally-ranked Washington & Lee University. The Eagles held the Generals scoreless in the final two quarters, but the comeback effort came up just short at the final horn. The Eagle rebounded to top Christopher Newport University on the road before slipping to CAC rival Wesley College by one goal, 7-6, in overtime on the road. The Eagles then topped another team that received national attention in the coaches’ poll in McDaniel College, 8-7, thanks to junior Brian Deal’s overtime game winner.
After falling on the road to fourth-ranked Stevenson University, the Eagles returned home to defeat SUNY Plattsburgh, 12-7, in another victory over a quality opponent. In that contest, senior Brent Fisk netted five goals, and Charlie White added two scores and two assists to lead the way offensively. Sophomore goalie Ryan Kleman made 16 saves and was subsequently named the CAC Player of the Week.
Mary Washington won two straight, as the Eagles next defeated Randolph-Macon College, 12-4, at the Battleground, with freshman Ryan Wettlaufer and Deal each scoring three goals in the lopsided victory. Kleman again made 16 saves in protecting the Eagle goal. UMW then fell to visiting St. Mary’s College, 7-6, despite holding the Seahawks scoreless for the final quarter, with the comeback effort falling just short. The Eagles ended their five-game home stretch with a 13-5 win over Hood College in league play, with 12 different players scoring goals.
After a 14-5 defeat at top-ranked Salisbury University, the Eagles hosted York College in CAC play, and fell to the Spartans, 11-9, with a late 3-1 scoring binge falling short. Deal led UMW with four goals, continuing his late season stellar play. The Eagles topped Marymount University, 10-9, to close the regular season, with James Fitzella scoring what proved to be the game winning score.
The Eagles fell at Salisbury in the opening round of the CAC Tournament, 14-5, to close the season with an 8-7 mark. For the nine Eagle seniors, 2009 marked the most wins the class achieved, and the highest win total since UMW won nine contests in 2005.