TRIBUNE REPORT CARD: Redmen Lacrosse: A

By Matt Chesser, The McGill Tribune

Expectations were high for the McGill men's lacrosse team coming into this season. Head Coach Tim Murdoch declared before the squad's first game that "Anything less than a national championship would be a disappointment this season."

And although the Redmen fell just short of their stated goal this year-losing 14-9 to the Guelph Gryphons in the gold medal game at Nationals-the 2008 season can't be considered anything other than a success.

The Redmen finished the regular season with a 7-3 record-the second time in six years that they have finished above .500. After defeating the Bishop's Gaiters in an Eastern Conference playoff game, McGill knocked off the six-time defending champion Brock University Badgers, 13-9, to set up a final game showdown with Guelph. Despite four goals from McGill attackman Lukas LaCava, the Gryphons defeated the Redmen on the strength of six unanswered goals in the second quarter to capture their third Baggataway Cup.

The future looks bright for the Redmen, as the squad will lose only three players to graduation and will return their star forwards-Nick Moreau, who led the team in regular season scoring with 30 points in 10 games, and LaCava, who had a team-best 12 points in three playoff games. Ace transfer student Matt Jankowski, defensive stalwarts Jonathan Zimmerman and Brendan Farrer, and netminder Guy Fox will also be back next year as the Redmen look to win their first-ever Bagataway Cup.


Tribune MVP: Nick Moreau, attackman

Tribune Player to Watch: Will Edwards, midfielder