The St. Joe’s club lacrosse team, back this year for the first time in almost two years, defeated Princeton University 8-5 on March 26, adding another win to its season to improve its record to 2-2.
Goalie Griffin Kolkka ’22 was able to keep the Hawks alive defensively with help from defender Chris Kirby ’23, who played lock-down defense all game. On the other side of the ball, attackmen Liam Connolly ’23 contributed two key goals in the victory.
Connor Reagan ’22, president, defender and team captain, said members of the team’s talent-filled roster are excited to be back on the field.
“I honestly think this is the best team we’ve had since my freshman year,” Reagan said. “We have great balance across the board with young and old talent which makes us a scary team to play against. So we have high expectations moving forward.”
Seniors on the team have been deprived of a full lacrosse season since their first season as first years with the covid-19 pandemic having stolen more than half of their college club lacrosse years, Reagan said.
“We were heavily affected, obviously, since sophomore year. Once we left school, we weren’t able to play that year and even last year,” Reagan said. “My junior year we weren’t allowed to do anything as a club so we were basically non-existent for over a year and a half now.”
Midfielder Nick Jones ’23 said regardless of wins and losses, he enjoys meeting new people through the team.
“Joining club lacrosse was definitely one of the better decisions of my college career,” Jones said. “I met so many guys, not even just seniors or upperclassmen, but a lot of freshmen and sophomores that I never would have met before.”
As the season continues, the team hopes to make a surge into the playoffs.
“We will play through the rest of April with hopes of being lucky enough to make the playoffs, which take place in May,” Reagan said.
In his fourth year as a member of the lacrosse team, co-captain attackmen Brendan McDonough ’22 said he is optimistic about those chances.
“We’ve always been pretty good, just not as organized,” McDonough said. “This year is definitely our best team. There’s a lot of good young kids. We’ve got a good senior class. And I think when we have all of our players, we’re going to be very good.”
The Hawks’ next game will be against The College of New Jersey at 7 p.m. on April 1 at Sweeney Field.
