The Standard

Issue date: 3/5/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Tim Brumitt

Every college student knows that with March also comes spring break.

But while spring break may mean time off and exotic destinations for students, for the Missouri State lacrosse team, it means something much different this year.

No games.

The lacrosse team, a club squad, doesn't play again until April 3. Team president Brad Shearman said that could be attributed to different spring break schedules for universities.

"Our spring break occurs later than most other schools," Shearman said. "We weren't able to schedule games the first two weekends of March because that's when a lot of schools have their spring breaks.

"At Missouri State, our spring break is at the end of March, and it takes up two weekends, so we couldn't play then either because a lot of guys will be going home. There just wasn't a spot to fit in any games."

In the past, Missouri State has played games in the month of March. This year, however, the Bears were unsuccessful in finding an opponent.

"We had a couple of opponents back out on us, and it got to the point where we realized we wouldn't be able to play," Shearman said.

When he saw the monthlong break in the schedule, Missouri State assistant coach Pat Callaham was concerned.

"We had something originally scheduled, and then a couple of teams bailed out so we've been scrambling ever since," Callaham said. "It was a serious concern for us because, whenever you have that long off, nothing can replace a game."

Callaham said the team does have some things to focus on during the extended break.

"You worry about them getting lackadaisical," he said. "When you're not playing games every weekend, your mind can drift onto other things."

With the way its going, the break doesn't come at a great time for Missouri State. The Bears are 5-1 overall and alone in first place at 1-0 in the South Division of the Great Rivers Lacrosse Conference.

And when they do return to action the first weekend of April, Missouri State will face division opponents Missouri Baptist and Washington University (St. Louis) on the road.

Senior attacker Dustin Rich said the month-long break isn't ideal, but it does give the Bears some extra help with preparation and strategy.

"It's like a whole offseason in the middle of the season," he said. "We get a chance to implement some new things on offense and change some things on defense. If a team has scouted us before, we can come out of the month of March with some new things."

Missouri State will still practice during March. Callaham said the Bears have had "light" practices this week in order to recover from some player injuries.

In the following weeks, there will be a heavy emphasis on conditioning and simulating a game atmosphere.

"We'll get after it," Callaham said. "We'll push them and try to produce a game-like emphasis. We'll do some scrimmage type things and some competitive drills."

With his weekends in March now open, Rich said he still doesn't have many big plans.

"I'll get to sleep in a little more," he said. "I lead kind of a boring life outside of lacrosse. I guess I'll just focus on class work or something."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools