Feb. 25, 2011
By Will Donley, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - No member of this year's senior class has ever walked off the field following a game against Notre Dame with a reason to celebrate. The reason being, no member of this year's senior class has ever beaten Notre Dame.
When the Nittany Lions take on the Fighting Irish this Sunday at 1 p.m. on Bigler Field, the team will not only be playing for a vital non-conference win against a top-ranked opponent; they will be playing for a group of dedicated seniors who have never quite been able to topple the Fighting Irish.
Since walking onto Penn State's University Park, Pa., campus more than three years ago, the 2011 Nittany Lion seniors have attempted to change the face of Penn State lacrosse. Ranked the 10th-best recruiting class by Inside Lacrosse Magazine in 2007, this group boasted some of the best young players that this nation had to offer. Still, in three tries, this group has yet to beat Notre Dame.
As freshmen, the 2011 seniors travelled to South Bend, Ind. to take on the then eighth-ranked Fighting Irish. Notre Dame got off to a blistering start, jumping out to a 6-0 lead in the first quarter. The Nittany Lions were unable to overcome the deficit, losing 15-9, despite outscoring the Irish 6-5 in the second half.
Notre Dame was again the eighth-ranked team in the nation when they came to University Park, Pa., to take on Penn State two years ago. As sophomores, the 2011 seniors were still unable to defeat Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish got off to another quick start, leading the Nittany Lions 3-0 at the end of the first quarter. Despite the team's best efforts during the remaining three quarters, the Nittany Lions lost to the Irish 13-8.
The 2011 Penn State seniors inched closer to their goal of beating Notre Dame a year ago. In what seems to be a recurring theme between these two teams, the then third-ranked Fighting Irish scored the game's first three goals and led the Nittany Lions 4-1 at the end of the first quarter. Penn State's late-game rally again fell short again, as the 2011 seniors lost their third straight game to Notre Dame 12-8.
In order to beat the Fighting Irish this season, the 2011 Penn State seniors will have to lead a young but talented team against a high-powered and veteran Notre Dame squad. The Nittany Lions will have to stifle the Notre Dame offense, controlling the Irish's physical midfield and deft attack. Against a team that historically starts quickly, the Nittany Lions must get out to their own quick start, scoring early and often.
With the help of a core group of freshman, sophomores and juniors, the Penn State senior class plans to change the program's recent history with a win Sunday against Notre Dame. Come out and support the entire team, as the Nittany Lions look to topple last year's NCAA Runners-up!
The 2011 Nittany Lion Senior Lacrosse Players:
#11 Matt Bernier
#18 John Brelus
#13 Greg Brown
#16 Bill Davis
#44 Will Donley
#9 Jack Forster*
#5 Alex Garrity
#3 Billy Lloyd
#43 John Nichols
#17 Matt Shankoff
#22 Colton Vosburgh
*Jack Forster came to Penn State as a member of this year's senior class. Due to a medical redshirt, he still has years of eligibility remaining. Still, he is a vital member of the 2011 senior class.
Will Donley, Senior Attackman, Penn State Men's Lacrosse Team, GoPSUsports.com
