The Standard

Issue date: 4/16/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Chris Cox

With their Great Rivers Lacrosse Conference regular season title secure, the Missouri State Bears turn their focus to the next task at hand: battling four Division I teams before the GRLC playoffs arrive in May.

The first foe is Arkansas, Missouri State's opponent at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Plaster Field.

"It's going to be tough knowing this is my last home game," said Bears senior defender Dustin Rich. "But once the game gets going, you just have to play like it's another game."

The Arkansas game was originally scheduled for April 24 but was moved up one week due to scheduling conflicts at Plaster Field.

Missouri State finalized its spring schedule back in October, but the annual Relay for Life event normally takes place at Plaster Field and this year it's on April 24.

Bears team president Brad Shearman said the game could have been played at Glass Hall Field on April 24 if no other solutions arose. In the end though, it was best to play it this Friday night.

"It's a grass field at Glass Hall, so if it rains, we probably would have a hard time playing," he said. "Plus, there would be nowhere for fans to sit unless they bring their own chairs.

"This works out great for us because we can still play at Plaster, which is one of the premier venues in our conference."

The scheduling change definitely works in Missouri State's favor, said Bears coach Austin Holman.

Instead of playing three games in three days April 24 to 26, the Bears will now play a game this Friday night (Arkansas) and two days later Sunday at Mizzou.

That means the Bears won't have an extra game April 24 before their games at Kansas April 25 and Kansas State April 26.

"We can test ourselves against some good opponents," Holman said.

Arkansas, Mizzou, Kansas and Kansas State are all Division I opponents. Holman said the biggest difference between Division I and Division II Men's Collegiate Lacrosse Association teams is depth.

"They're bigger schools and have a wider based to recruit from," he said. "But I expect our guys to be ready to go out there and fight."

Road trip

After battling Arkansas Friday night, Missouri State travels up north Sunday to play at Mizzou - and you're invited to tag along.

The team will have a 22-passenger "fan bus" traveling to Columbia on the 19th for the game. Those interested in making the trip can contact Rich at 417-827-6503 or Rich017@missouristate.edu.

Rich said there likely won't be any cost to travel on the bus, but mentioned a $5 or $10 "throw-in" contribution for gas money would be greatly appreciated.

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