The fourth-ranked Chapman University men’s lacrosse team returns to Denver for the third year in a row for the national playoffs.

After dropping the championship game of the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference tournament to Arizona State University 12-11 last weekend, the Panthers (16-2) were still able to earn an at-large bid to the national championship tournament.

“This year’s team is a lot more of a team and family, rather than individuals,” junior captain Andy Salcido said. “Our defense is really a huge factor in why we’re where we are and not just an offensive team.”

The Panthers have been back-to-back runners-up in the tournament the past two seasons, falling to University of Michigan in 2008 and 2009. The Wolverines could stand in the Panthers’ way of a championship yet again, as the team is ranked No.1 in the nation.

But Salcido feels this year is different.

And that difference has led to positive results from the very start of the season. After rolling over University of San Diego 15-2 in the first game of the season, the Panthers came up with a big overtime win, 12-11, against Brigham Young University.

“The BYU game was easily one of the most exciting games of the year. It set the tone for the season. It was a big win against a good team and we won in overtime,” senior captain Connor Martin said.

The team went a perfect 5-0 in SLC play and lost one game of the regular season, falling to University of Oregon 14-11 on April 1.

A strong core of athletes makes up this year’s team. Martin was named SLC Offensive Player of the Year and ranks third in the conference in points per game, with 4.50, and fourth in the conference in goals per game, with 2.94. Sophomore Andrew Clayton ranks third in the conference, with 3.07 goals per game.

Five Panthers were named to all-SLC teams. Salcido, Martin and junior Spenser Halvorsen earned First Team honors, while Clayton and senior Blake Whitcomb earned Second Team honors.

“We have a lot of talent and leaders on this team,” said Martin. “We plan to carry the same talent and intensity we’ve played with all year over to the championships.”

The Panthers will play 13th-seeded University of Illinois in the first round of the 2010 Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association National Championships Tuesday night. The fourth-seeded Panthers know virtually nothing about the Fighting Illini but will approach the game the same way the team has all year, Martin said.

“We’re not really doing anything new. Just tried to cram in some runs and shooting,” Martin said. “We’re just going to go out there and play lacrosse.”

The Panthers arrived in Denver Sunday night, and expect nothing less than a national championship, Salcido said.

“Personal achievements mean nothing to me like winning the national championship with my teammates does, especially this year,” Salcido said. “We’re a team and a band of brothers, and it’s so cliché but it’s true: We’re only as strong as our weakest link.”


Contact this reporter: casey.hull@thepantheronline.com