Queen’s met Trent on Miklas-McCarney Field last Sunday for their first game of the season. Heading into the game, the team was ready to give it their all.
“The mindset was going out there and competing hard for a full 60 [minutes] and looking to see what the outcome is going to be,” Head Coach Connor Kearnan said in an interview with The Journal.
Right from the beginning, nothing went as planned.
The time clock refused to work and delayed the first half. The score board also didn’t work and there was no shot clock. To make matters worse, two volunteers who were supposed to be helping with the technical set-up and execution never showed up, leaving Kearnan to spend critical pre-game minutes trying to fix these issues instead of warming up his team.
The hectic start seemed to rattle the players as well. In the first quarter, they gave up four points while only putting up two of their own. This game was Trent’s third; it was obvious they were much better prepared for the swing of a regular season game.
Despite all the challenges, the Gaels’ individual strengths shone through.
Carter McKenzie’s speed was a tool Queen’s used to set up plays and start attacks, while Bryan Poetker’s unrelenting energy helped them put up three points in the first half.
The Gaels played well as a team, too. The players were very loud as they communicated with each other throughout the game and this communication helped keep the energy up.
However, after Poetker’s points, Trent retaliated by going on a five-point run that changed the trajectory of the game in just seven minutes. When Trent started this run, it was as if something switched for the Gaels—they didn’t know how to respond.
In a conversation with The Journal after the game, Kearnan recognized the dangers of letting your play and attitude be influenced by what’s on the scoreboard.
“The key is not to panic; lacrosse is a game of highs and lows. Emotions get high, you want to win, you don’t want to go down, but you’ve got to keep that level of composure at all times through the game.”
After half-time, the Gaels were better prepared. The time clock started to work, and Kearnan finally had a chance to address the team. They held Trent back during the entire third quarter and refused to give up any more points, instead putting up one of their own.
Queen’s outscored Trent 3-2 in the fourth, but it was still not enough to take back the lead Trent built in the first half.
The Gaels are looking to grow and won’t let this loss define their season.
“Each week is a new learning curve for them,” Kearnan said. “They are taking it day by day and getting better honestly every time they step on the field.”
He’s looking towards more frequent practices and more chances to get on the field so the team can get more comfortable with this caliber of play.
“They are doing a good job of taking it all in, but a lot is being thrown at them right now, so I think the disorganization is a big thing […] We are just trying to work through being organized and I think it’s just going to come with time,” Kearnan said.
Men’s Lacrosse continues their season on Sept. 18 against Bishop’s Gaiters in Quebec.
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