After a season that saw the Boston University men’s lacrosse team make the Patriot League tournament for the first time in program history, the Terriers will look to finish what they started in 2017 and capture the Patriot League title.
Under the guidance of BU head coach Ryan Polley, the Terriers were ranked in the top 20 nationwide for a majority of the 2017 campaign, a testament to the rapid development of the BU lacrosse program.
“A lot had to do with the senior class,” Polley said. “Having those guys go through the wars of the Patriot League and having the tough schedule that we play, they were battle-tested and ready to have a successful senior year.”
BU also received welcome news when it was announced that Polley will be returning to coach the Terriers long-term. Polley received both Patriot League and New England Coach of the Year honors last season for his role in revolutionizing the program.
“It’s a really nice place to work,” Polley said. “The administration, starting with President Brown and [Director of Athletics] Drew Marrochello, you just feel so supported.”
After the 2017 season, Polley looks to be off to a blistering start in joining the ranks of BU’s elite, tenured coaches.
The list goes on and on for the Terriers. From women’s soccer head coach Nancy Feldman, who has spent 24 seasons at the helm at BU, guiding the Terriers to a 297-143-44 mark, to men’s soccer head coach Neil Roberts, who has been a catalyst for the Terrier soccer program on the men’s side, boasting a 358-196-88 record over his 33-year career.
“I love working with the great coaches on staff,” Polley said. “You look at [Feldman], [Roberts] … it just shows you what a great place [BU] is. I couldn’t be more pleased to sign on long-term.”
With Polley returning to the sideline, BU will look to fill the voids on the field left by former Terriers. Goalkeeper Christian Carson-Banister and long-stick midfielder Greg Wozniak were recently selected in Major League Lacrosse’s annual supplemental draft early this month.
Carson-Banister was ranked No. 12 in the nation in goals against average, allowing only 8.64 goals per game, and No. 3 nationally in save percentage after blocking 58.6 percent of the shots he faced.
Wozniak was an invaluable member of BU’s defensive unit, finishing second on the team in ground balls with 52 while also helping out the Terriers in transition.
Carson-Banister will join his hometown Dallas Rattlers after being selected in the seventh round, while Wozniak was chosen by the Denver Outlaws in the fifth round.
While BU will be facing some adversity in filling the shoes of Carson-Banister and Wozniak, Polley is confident in the ability of sophomore goalkeeper Joe McSorley to hang tough in net, with help from an experienced defensive line.
“The biggest thing for us is playing team defense,” Polley said. “[Carson-Banister] was outstanding last year … but we’re excited for a new group to play defensively and play well in front of [McSorely].”
The Terriers will face another challenge in replacing last season’s leading scorer in attack Cal Dearth. Dearth led BU’s offense with 38 goals and 19 assists during the 2017 season.
Upon graduating, Dearth became the first Terrier in program history to be drafted, as he was selected No. 31 overall in the 2017 MLL Collegiate Draft by the Charlotte Hounds. The Ridgefield, Connecticut native was traded to the Boston Cannons late in the 2017 season where he contributed four goals.
Fortunately for Polley, the Terrier offense will be in good hands with senior attack Jack Wilson waiting in the wings. Wilson finished second on the team in goals and assists with 29 and 18, respectively during the 2017 campaign, and was named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team on Tuesday.
“[Wilson] had a huge year for us last year,” Polley said. “We’re really expecting him to continue to progress in his career and have another phenomenal year.”
Joining Wilson on the Terriers’ attacking line will be junior James Burr and senior Ryan Hilburn. Burr finished the 2017 season with 24 goals and seven assists, while Hilburn chipped in 17 goals and 17 assists.
With the entire starting midfield line returning for the 2018 season to join an already strong defensive unit, Polley expects his team to continue to find success on both sides of the ball.
“There’s a lot to be excited about on the offensive side of the ball,” Polley said. “We’re excited to see the two units come together.”
If all goes according to plan for BU in 2018, the team should be able to not only stay in the conversation for a Patriot League title, but to win the whole thing.
This will begin this Saturday at Nickerson Field as the Terriers take on , who hold a 4-2 edge over them in all-time meetings and boast 2017 Big East Goalkeeper of the Year junior Tate Boyce.
“[We’re] looking forward to trying to take that next step,” Polley said. “And that’s cementing ourselves in the top-15 and get that Patriot League title and NCAA berth.”
