This year has been marked by the success of the state of Ohio, and the growth of the sport in the Buckeye State is booming as a result. Not only did the Ohio Machine bring home the MLL title and the Ohio State Buckeyes make the NCAA national championship game, but lacrosse fans celebrated the beginning of another program in Cleveland State.
Coach Dylan Sheridan and his team joined in on the lacrosse renaissance in the state of Ohio, finishing their first season in Division I at 5-9. Make no mistake, Sheridan made sure this Vikings team took on some of the nation’s best, scheduling matchups with Duke, Denver, Penn State and Ohio State.
“The culture of Vikings lacrosse is still a work in progress, but competing against the best is a core principle,” Sheridan told the school’s athletics website. “We hope the strength of our fall schedule will accelerate our learning curve and prepare us for a successful second season at the Division I level."
Yes, each game ended in a loss, but it was a stepping stone to the future of the program. That’s what 2017 is for Cleveland State lacrosse — the beginning of what many hope with be the rise of a successful Division I program. Now, in their second fall together, the Vikings continue to challenge themselves and grow the game in Cleveland.
PHOTO BY BRIAN HART
Cleveland State players helped conduct clinics with Urban Community School students on Cleveland's West side during a field unveiling last month.
After battling Ohio Wesleyan in September, Cleveland State took part in clinics following the unveiling of a new field at Urban Community School in Cleveland’s West side. Then, it took on Team Canada on Oct. 8 in Buffalo, N.Y.
Now in the last week of fall ball, Cleveland State will wrap up with a weekend at Binghamton, facing off with the Bearcats and Manhattan on Saturday. It’s another step in the process of developing another competitive program in Ohio.
Last season, Cleveland State played with a roster comprised almost entirely of freshmen. Five players — Tristen Copeland, Jake Lewis, Jack Frickleton, Noah Gleeson and Nick Wendel — topped 20 points for the season.
With another year under its belt, the Cleveland State roster entered this fall ball with something to build upon. Not to mention, Sheridan and his staff welcomed 16 freshmen to the roster, giving him plenty to work with.
As for the opposition, Binghamton is coming off a second-place finish in the regular season and conference tournament. It loses leading scorer Tom Moore from the 2017 roster, but brings back talent on both ends of the field.
Manhattan is back after finishing 3-11 last season, including 0-6 in the MAAC.