USU lacrosse captures Idaho tourney
The USU men’s lacrosse team is undefeated on the season, and won the Gem State tournament on Oct. 18 in Boise Idaho.
Utah State started the tournament on Saturday with an 11-10 win over a men’s league team out of Boise called The Whisky Pigs. The Aggies followed with a 12-7 win over Albertson College of Idaho. In the next game, USU overcame a three-point deficit to beat Utah Valley University 7-5.
“We just came back and took the lead and had the lead the whole rest of the game,” said USU team captain Richy Damraur.
Utah State played Boise State Sunday in the championship game. The Aggies won, 11-10.
“It was a really close game the whole time,” Damraur said.
According to Damraur, the Aggies took third place in the Gem State Tournament last year.
“This year we have a bigger team and we were looking to win the tournament,” Damraur said.
Damraur said last year the team had about 15 players, and this year there are around 30.
He also said he feels like this year’s team has the potential to go far this season.
“This year is the best year,” Damraur said. “This is definitely the biggest team Utah State has ever had, and has the most potential of going the farthest of any team we have ever had.”
Head coach Matt Polotyka agreed.
“These guys are showing up and going to work hard, that’s what it takes to take this team to the next level,” he said.
He said he is happy with the way the season has started.
“As for the guys, things are going good,” Polotyka said. “You know, we definitely started off the way we should have.”
The Aggies will play in the Best of the West tournament in Las Vegas over Halloween weekend. Polotyka said that will be the true test for the team as the tournament hosts some of the best teams in the country.
“It’s the elite tournament of the fall, and we’re going to it,” Polotyka said. “We are looking to finish out the fall with a strong showing in Vegas. That’s our number one goal right now.”
After the Tournament in Las Vegas, the Aggies don’t play again until the start of the regular season in February.
–p.d.k@aggiemail.usu.edu
Nick Baker of the USU lacrosse team makes a pass during a lacrosse practice last week. The team won the Gem State tournament Oct. 18 in Boise, Idaho. (Cody Gochnour)