By Gabriel Rodrigues

After two straights home wins on Sept. 13 and 14 versus the University of Toronto and Wilfred Laurier, the Laurentian men’s lacrosse coach believes his squad will be tough competition for some of the best teams within the Canadian University Field Lacrosse Association.

“We are there with the top teams.” said Derrick Gordon. “We have experienced players, but the big thing for us is we need to continue playing together as one unit.”

Last year, the Voyageurs managed only two wins out of 12 games, finishing second last in the west division.

However, this season, Laurentian has three wins in four games with their only loss coming at the hands of the undefeated Western Mustangs 10-8 on Sept.7. According to Gordon, that result was a “huge learning curve.”

“We were leading for the most part,” he said. “We let it slip because I think the guys have never been up against a really good team like that before. It was hard to try and defend that sort of team, since that program is always in the top two or three teams in the division.”

Although playing as a team is a vocal point for Gordon and his teams’ success, the Voyageurs are not lacking the skill, as two players, Philip Romanet and Clint Lamarsh, are currently leading the league in points and tied for goals.

Romanet has 26 points, 13 goals and 13 assists across four games, while Lamarsh has tallied 20 points adding 13 goals and seven assists so far this season.

Despite the Voyageurs’ strong start to the season, Gordon doesn’t want his team to get ahead of themselves, as the next seven games will be on the road where Laurentian will be facing “perennial powerhouses” Brock, Guelph and, once again, Western.

“Those teams are always battling for the Baggataway Cup,” he said. “The big thing for us right now is we need to continue to beat the teams we are going to be battling with or below us in the standing like U of T and Nipissing.”

In order to make the playoffs, Laurentian has to place within the top three of the west division, and presently, the Voyageurs are sitting in third just behind Brock and Western.

Gordon is certain his team has enough skill and experience to battle against some of the leagues best, but said it will rely on how much his squad really wants to win.

“We aren’t going to overpower anyone with just one or two players,” he said. “We can have good offensive players, but we are getting success because we are moving the ball while playing as a team.”

To catch live lacrosse, the Voyageurs’ will play on the home field on Oct. 26 at 2 p.m., facing the Nipissing Lakers.

For updated standings, statistics and results, please visit www.cufla.ca.