Owl Lacrosse teams begin practice

            KEENE, N.H. 2/3/10 - With temperatures hovering around the mid-20 degree mark, Keene State College men's and women's lacrosse teams hit the turf this week to begin practice for their upcoming season.

            The initial excitement of the inaugural practice was soon tempered by the cold weather and chilling wind that had players constantly on the move so they could remain limber. 

            "I think we all dread it a little bit, but since I'm a junior I've gotten used to it," said Jamie Albert. 

            According to Keene State men's lacrosse coach Mark Theriault, the first order of business is to do some stick work, get their fitness level up, and start working together as a team.  "The returners know what February is all about," he said.  "We work hard, we do what we have to do then we're done."

            The KSC women‘s team lost just two players from last year's 12-8 (5-1 LEC) that captured the program's first-ever conference championship and NCAA berth.  Arsenault, who directed the Owls to the title in her first year on the bench, says Keene State will be a marked team this season.  "There's so much more pressure than before," she said.  "A lot of teams want to come back and beat us."

            The preseason will be extremely important for Theriault as he evaluates his young talent in preparation for filling several holes in his line-up. "The competition for starting jobs should bring out the best in everybody "said Theriault, set to begin his 11th season at KSC.

            Keene State, which finished its season with a 9-4 (6-1 LEC) record, were upset in the tournament semifinals.

            There's a carrot at the end of stick for both teams.  Owl players will be rewarded for their hard work with spring week trips to Florida.  "I think February is a rite of passage,' said Theriault.  "It's probably the hardest part of the season.  But at the same time, if we do it together as a team then it brings us closer together."