The 2008 UW-Platteville lacrosse season picked up right where the 2007 team left off last year, with two victories on Saturday, March 29, at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Field.

Photograph by Lacey Vandermeer
UW-Platteville senior Joe Nelson passes the ball during the Pioneers match against MSOE. UW-P won the game 11-3 and travel to play against St. Mary’s and Winona State on April 5.

The past season ended on a high note for the Pioneers, as the team took the conference championship, for the first time, last spring. Matt Mikulecky, the team’s coach and a midfielder on the team, said they hope to continue on the success from last year.

The first match was against Milwaukee School of Engineering, and UW-P stepped up against their first opponent, Mikulecky said. Platteville beat MSOE 11-3 in their first match.

“You can tell they were a new team. Last year was their first year,” Mikulecky said. “They gave us a run but we stepped up and made big plays.”

The new players have stepped up and learned their positions well and they are prepared for their first game, Mikulecky said. They have improved greatly since they started playing due to the constant schedule of practices throughout the year.

Midfielder Nick Bower opened the season with his first score in his two years with the team.

“It was awesome!” Bower said of the score.

The fans played a huge role in boosting the spirits of the players as well, Mikulecky said. It was one of the largest crowds the team has seen, with approximately 60 fans in attendance to cheer Platteville to victory.

“I’m so happy with the crowd and the support,” Mikulecky said.

The team’s first year players, also known as rookies, stepped up to make plays happen for the team, Joe Nelson, team president, said. Although minor errors happened during the game, they did nothing to slow them down.

“There were minor errors, but we just know what we need to work on,” Nelson said. “It was a good experience for the rookies.”

Practice has certainly paid off for the men, who are no strangers to commitment. Mikulecky said they started practicing in fall, and continued throughout winter.

“We have the advantage. We practice harder than others,” Nelson said.

The men continued their winning start with a good performance in a 5-2 victory over Winona State in the second match.

“We looked pretty good,” Nelson said. “I’m proud of them.”

Mikulecky said he was especially proud of their first year goalie, Jordan Hass. Hass proved himself a true contender in his first game with the team.

“I’m really proud of him. It was his first game, and he really stepped up,” Mikulecky said.

The defense was solid, Mikulecky said. The rookies played a great first game, and took control in their positions.

The team will head out to St. Mary’s University on April 6 to face the host Tommies and the Eagles of UW-La Crosse.

“I expect to be strong throughout the year,” Mikulecky said. “They [the rookies] got their first action and proved themselves well.”