Following two disappointing losses, the Geneseo men’s lacrosse team looked to strike a blow to Rochester Institute of Technology’s No. 1 nationally ranked team on Wednesday April 2. The Knights have gotten off to a 2-4 start, with both of their wins being blowouts and their losses all coming by just one goal. Nonetheless, the team is heading into the meat of its schedule; starting off by facing the formidable RIT team.
While RIT does carry that top national ranking next to its name, it doesn’t faze anyone on the Knights.
“We know that we can battle with anyone. We don’t fear RIT,” head coach Jim Lyons said. “We’ve seen them go out and have a tough time with lesser teams than Geneseo, so we know that if we do our job and prepare correctly we’ll be ready for what they do.”
RIT is going to be the toughest game of the season for the Knights by far. None of RIT’s opponents have scored more than 11 points in a game against them – except for the Tigers’ first game of the season – which is almost exactly what the Knights are averaging.
Geneseo is not that far behind the Tigers stats-wise. Both teams’ shot percentages are within six points of one another, as well as their clear percentages. The Tigers do score more points per game, but they also allow more goals per game than the Knights.
If the Knights do pull out a win against RIT, then they will have a much easier time the rest of their season. A win against the number one team in the country is obviously a good thing to have under their belt when it comes to tournament time. It could also act as a confidence booster for Geneseo.
A win would put Geneseo at 3-4, with games against SUNYAC foes SUNY Oneonta and SUNY Brockport coming up soon.
With the RIT game having been moved to Rochester, the Knights have yet to play a true home game this season – all of them have been at neutral sites or the opponents’ due to the weather.
If Geneseo can pull out an upset win at RIT, then there is nothing stopping this team from accomplishing any other goal.u
Editor’s note:
The men’s lacrosse team fell to the RIT Tigers 22-6 on Wednesday April 2.
Sophomore midfielder Joe Chiara scored two goals for the Knights in the loss.
The Knights visit SUNY Oneonta for a 2:30 p.m game on Saturday April 5.