This is not the first time lacrosse is in the national spotlight. Last season, the team was ranked for the final four weeks of the season, peaking at No. 22.
The Broncos have no easy schedule, as they are in a league alongside Cal Poly, UC Berkeley, Stanford and San Jose State.
To add to this, Santa Clara will have a trip to Texas, where they will take on nationally-ranked teams including Texas State and Texas A&M.
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For the men’s lacrosse team, success is more than what is displayed in numbers.
After being ranked No. 25 on the National College Lacrosse League Polls, the Broncos are now focused on winning, no matter what their ranking.
The team has much more to focus on than how they are viewed nationally.
“Frankly, we’re not talking about the rankings,” said senior goalie Phil Donnici. “We don’t really think that that should be a motivating factor. We’re just going out there to try and win, and play ball.”
This is not the first time lacrosse is in the national spotlight. Last season, the team was ranked for the final four weeks of the season, peaking at No. 22.
Head coach Gary Podesta was not thrilled with what he considers to be too low of a placement.
“When I cast my vote, it was in the 16 to 17 range,” said Podesta.
After coming out victorious in their first two matches of the season, the Broncos fell short against Sonoma State, blowing a 9-2 lead to pick up their first loss of the season 15-14.
“We started playing not to lose, instead of continuing to play to win, and step on their throats,” said Donnici.
“We need to focus on delivering that knock-out punch and keeping tempo the entire game, and not letting another team dictate how we play,” he said.
The loss was a heartbreaker, said Donnici, but the team remains positive about having a shot at winning their league and making the playoffs.
Podesta said that the Broncos’ goal is to win their league, but that it will not be easy after their loss to Sonoma State.
In order to come back from the loss, Podesta believes the team needs to set their minds on playing through entire games.
“We have to play a full 60-minute game,” he said.
Freshman midfielder Dylan Panzarella received praise from both Podesta and Donnici for providing a spark to the team in his first season.
Podesta commended junior Jonathan Fallers for his talented play.
Although Podesta pinpointed just two players, he said he is impressed with the team’s overall level of play.
“I think we’re a little more skilled player-for-player than we were last year,” said Podesta.
The Broncos have developed a knack for scoring in their first three games, netting 47 goals while holding their opponents to a total of only 27.
“Our offense is looking good,” said Donnici.
Recently, the Broncos have been forced to adjust because of the stormy weather. Bellomy field, where the team normally practices, has been closed, and the team has been forced to practice on turf instead of grass.
Despite this setback, the team is still continuing with their normal schedule of five practices per week.
Donnici believes that in these practices, the team needs to work on the little things, so that when it comes to game time, mental mistakes are a no-show.
The Broncos have no easy schedule, as they are in a league alongside Cal Poly, UC Berkeley, Stanford and San Jose State.
To add to this, Santa Clara will have a trip to Texas, where they will take on nationally-ranked teams including Texas State and Texas A&M.
First, the Broncos will look to take down San Diego this coming Sunday in their first home game at 1 p.m. at Bellomy Field.
Despite the inclement weather and the team’s rigorous practice schedule, the team is still gunning for a spot at the national tournament in May.