Lancaster University lacrosse teams have enjoyed a successful 2013-14 BUCS season; the men’s first team romped to the top of the Northern 2A league, winning every match. The women’s firsts also performed strongly, taking third place in the women’s 2A league. Both teams have seen a string of impressive performances take them towards the top of their respective leagues, raising team spirits ahead of Roses.
Lancaster’s men’s first team managed to achieve promotion from the Northern 2A league in style, maintaining their 100 percent record for the entirety of the season. The record of ten wins from ten matches made them clear winners ahead of nearest rivals Keele firsts who were nine points inferior. Despite a season which included many colossal margins of victory, most notably the team’s 30-0 victory of UCLAN firsts, it was perhaps their tight-fought victory over Keele which ensured their league success. This 9-6 victory half way through the season established the sides position as league leaders and was perhaps pivotal in maintaining their excellent form with an impressive victory against the toughest opposition.
The men’s team finally claimed league victory with a challenging encounter against Bangor, defeating their Welsh opposition 9-7. Impressive defensive displays in the second half ensured that Lancaster would not let their early victory slip, and thus with victory maintained their perfect record to win the division. Keele firsts were not only important competitors at the integral half-way stage of the season, but Lancaster were able to ensure their 100 percent record in their last league fixture at home to Keele. Keele, who finished second behind Lancaster, were however no match to the home side, full of confidence and in sparkling form, taking the victory 12-1. Lancaster assured victory through their strength-in-depth, playing a large array of players who combined to top off a very memorable season.
Nonetheless, the men’s season does not just stop there. Success in the league was unfortunately not matched in the cup, where following a commanding 12-4 away victory against Newcastle 2nds, Lancaster met Durham seconds in the cup semi-final. The winning record which had lasted almost a year came undone at the hands of Durham, defeating Lancaster 8-2. Despite finding themselves on par with Durham at half time with the scores tied at 1-1, Durham took advantage on the counter scoring a brace to take themselves to the final. Nevertheless, victory for Durham was not easy and despite letting in more goals than any other match this season, Lancaster can take great pride from their defensive record overall. Roses perhaps could not have come at a better time for Lancaster men’s lacrosse team, who have positioned themselves as one of the most successful sports teams this season with their 100 percent league record which they hope to take into the match against York.
With the men’s team achieving such success, the women’s side were keen to achieve the same outcome. Despite two early defeats this season, the women’s team took invaluable victories against Bangor, Keele firsts and Liverpool seconds to put themselves in a more competitive position for the rest of the season. Despite a strong winning streak, Lancaster were unable to repeat the successes of the men’s team, losing a tight encounter against Liverpool John Moore’s firsts 10-13. Despite this hindering any possibility of a truly successful year, victory in the side’s final fixture against Bangor firsts, winning 25-10 gave the women’s team a strong finish that assured them the very respectable finish of third in the table. Having suffered a substantial 27-5 defeat to York University’s team earlier in the year, Lancaster will be hoping to transfer the form that saw them brush past Bangor to the all important Roses fixture.
Having finished first and third respectively, the men’s and women’s teams will see Roses as the opportune moment to carry on where they left off in their leagues. The women’s team will clearly see revenge on the menu as they aim to reverse the drubbing they suffered earlier this season against York, whilst the men’s team will be aiming to ensure their stunning perfect record in the league this season will flow into their Roses performance, topping off what has been a prosperous year for Lancaster lacrosse in BUCS.
