The Men's Lacrosse Team faced no bigger weekend than the one just completed.  Two games on two consecutive days is enough to get the heart pumping.  However, when the opponents are two nationally ranked colleges, the adrenalin rush can possibly overwhelm you.  First up for the Bees was Briarcliffe College.  The Bulldogs were ranked #7 nationally.  Following them was Davenport University.  The Panthers were ranked #4 in the nation and are the reigning 2011 national champions of DII Lacrosse.  Just how good is SCAD's Lacrosse Team?  Their mettle was surely going to be tested in these two games.  

Briarcliffe Results 

You just do not know what to expect when two competitively ranked teams face off.  SCAD was ranked 14th in Division II, but from the beginning it was a defensive battle.  SCAD showed toughness on the field as they stopped scoring opportunity after scoring opportunity.  Wade Winebrenner, ranked #23 nationally in save percentage, was definitely on his game.  In the contest Winebrenner saved 14 Bulldog goal attempts. 

While Winebrenner was doing his part, Derek Shurson and George McKay kept the pressure on the Briarcliffe goalie.  To SCAD's credit the Bees made good on 9 of 24 shots on goal.  Shurson led the field with 4 goals.  McKay was only one back with 3, while Michael McQuaid and Doug Henry added one each.  These nine goals were good enough for SCAD as they defeated Briarcliffe 9-5 to raise their overall record to 7-3.

Davenport Results

Coming off a victory over #7 Briarcliffe, SCAD had no time for celebration.  They were back the next day to compete with the reigning national champions, Davenport University, currently ranked #4 in the nation.

Once again defense was the order of business.  And once again Wade Winebrenner was tested.  And once again he measured up to the task.  His 16 game saves gave the Bees plenty of opportunity to put some points on the board.  However, you are not ranked #4 for nothing.  Davenport proved just as stingy with the goals.  At the end of the first half of play, SCAD held a tenuous 4-3 advantage.  As a sidenote, coming into the game, the Bees were averaging over 12 goals a game, so one can clearly see that it was going to be a tough contest.

The Bees remained consistent in the third quarter.  Each team scored one lone goal.  Entering the final quarter, the score was SCAD 5, Davenport 4.  It was still anyone's game.  To the Bees' credit they never faultered.  They even outscored the Panthers 2-1 in the 4th quarter.  When the horn sounded, SCAD had won its 7th game out of its last eight.

Derek Shurson and George McKay each scored two goals, while Matt Dean, Chris Smith, and Daniel Ogren scored one each.  Matt Dean also contributed 3 assists on the day.  SCAD could celebrate one of its best weekends in the history of the program,  With one game remaining in the season, the Bees look forward to Tuesday, when new rankings come forth.  Hopefully, the Bees will move up a few notches.  

The last season's game will find SCAD at the SCAD Sports Complex where they will take on conference rival Ga. Southern in a game that starts at 2 pm.  Come and support Coach Mike Cummings and the men's team as they bring to a conclusion a very successful regular season.