Considering that 37 players on the Villa Julie men?s lacrosse roster have ties to Maryland, taking the field at M&T Bank Stadium this spring had to give them an electric feeling.
“It was a big event not just for the lacrosse team but the athletic department and the school all at once,” Mustangs coach Paul Cantabene said.
The Mustangs lost to Cabrini, 16-5, in a regular-season Division III game that was part of the ACC championship weekend, but the experience of playing at a top-flight athletic facility, arguably the best in the region, could do wonders for the program.
“The more experience you can get in those types of venues can only help you get to your ultimategoal,” Cantabene said.
That goal would be to win a national title.
And by playing during the ACC Championship weekend in Baltimore, the Mustangs should have no trouble recruiting some of the area?s ? and nation?s ? better players.
“The school?s commitment shows they want sports to be good here,” Cantabene said.
The eventual plan is to play a non-conference game against Goucher at M&T Bank Stadium, which would be a major recruiting tool for both Division III programs.
“That type of venue for a Division III team is very rare. Not too often do (college) teams get to play in that kind of venue,” Cantabene said.
