Clemson University men's lacrosse ranked in top 15

Published: March 23, 2011

By Max Sewesky

CLEMSON — Clemson University’s men’s lacrosse team is 10-1 and ranked No. 15 in the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association (MCLA), which is comprised of 230 teams. Clemson’s players are on spring break after their recent win over the State University of New York-Buffalo.

The team’s only loss this season was to ninth-ranked Florida State. The loss interrupted a seven-game win streak, but Clemson recovered to win the next three games. The team competes in the Southeastern Lacrosse Conference, which is the nation’s largest collegiate lacrosse conference.

Clemson occupies the top position in the conference's Northwest Region at 3-0, with wins over Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky. The University of South Carolina follows in second. The rivalry match between Clemson and the University of South Carolina is scheduled for April 8 and could decide the regional championship.

Clemson and USC both are predicted to advance to the Southeastern Lacrosse Conference Championships in Atlanta, which will take place in late April. From there, teams have a chance to compete nationally in Denver at the MCLA Championships in May.

The men’s lacrosse players have earned their 10 wins, averaging more than 14 goals scored per game and allowing fewer than six from opposing teams. Individually, several players hold national standing. Junior attackman Will Patch ranks No. 3 nationally with 26 goals. In assists, junior Chris Buechlele ranks second in the nation with 22, sophomore midfielder Ryan Conlon is ranked third with 19 and Patch is number four with 18. In total points, Patch stands at number two with 44 and Buechlele at number three with 43.

“We’re blessed to have such depth and balance,” said head coach Buff Grubb. “Most teams consider themselves fortunate to have one player on the charts nationally and we have four well up in the rankings. To have three of the top four assist men in the country on one team is extremely rare and speaks to how well this team executes on offense.”

As for the team’s defense, senior goalkeeper Brett Becker ranks 18th nationally in save percentage and is second nationally in average goals against.

“As nice as it is to be well represented in the offensive end,” said Grubb, “it is a tribute to the balance of this team that we also have a elite goalkeeper and a very solid defense to complement our scorers.”

END