By Nicholas Slepnikoff
University of Portland, a WCC competitor and NCAA Division 1 school, has more to bring this year than athletes registered with the NCAA.
Although these athletes may represent the Pilots on Merlo Field or in Chiles Center, there are numerous other club teams which get little recognition on campus. Of these club teams, lacrosse and soccer are now poised for potentially strong seasons.
With the influx of new talent and a flood of freshmen players, both teams have recently swelled in ranks. Now able to field larger squads, both teams have a lot of hopes for this season.
Although the Lacrosse Club's official season doesn't start until the spring, these athletes are hard at work for games in the fall.
Facing Gonzaga, University of Nevada and Saint Mary's, this squad is in for a busy schedule. Practicing offensive strategies and scrimmaging this past Sunday, the lacrosse squad has begun to work on incorporating the new freshmen and other recruits into their squad.
Senior Ken Ankrom, who helped found the club at UP, is excited for the new season.
"It's a new beginning ... last year was essentially erased," Ankrom said. "Last year was an introductory season and it was rough. We had low numbers ... if you have only 15 guys and their still coming out, you can be scrappy, but you can only do so much."
However, with the arrival of 16 new freshmen, this squad has gained invaluable talent.
"The team is exponentially better," senior Dillon Paul said.
Paul, an offensive coordinator for the team, thought the players were more motivated this season.
Although Ankrom stresses the need for strong communication between the players, he thinks the team has the talent, dedication and a large enough roster to have a strong season.
Additionally, with its introductory season last year, the team has gained more popularity. According to Ankrom, several freshmen got in contact with the team over the summer and wanted to take part in the team.
"We gained a lot of offensive firepower through our freshmen," Ankrom said. "We return our whole defense, with the addition of a new goalie who is a solid talent."
Coach and adviser of the Lacrosse Club, as well as an Associate Professor of Management, Mark Meckler also thinks the freshmen have incorporated well, but may still need some more help and experience from the veteran players and returnees.
"We have to represent the University well in the league," Meckler said. "Those teams have been there for a while ... and we're newcomers."
Like the lacrosse squad, club soccer has also had an amazing turnout this year. With its season already two games in, the team has also showed plenty of talent. Winning 4-0 versus Willamette and 2-0 versus Reed, the squad has had an impressive start to the season.
"We have a strong group of freshmen that can play, and are talented," senior Pablo Dipascuale, coach, captain and manager of the Soccer Club said. "And we also have new guys on the team, some seniors who didn't play before."
Although most of the players have experience and talent, according to Dipascuale, the team needs to continue to work on the communication between players and the flow on the field. But he's confident they're headed in the right direction.
"We are getting the results that we need," Dispascuale said.
Although the team has struggled with finding and fielding a strong keeper, the team has also recently gained junior Drew Hegarty.
According to Dipascuale, Hegarty, who has only some soccer experience, has been a great addition to the team. Blocking every shot on goal so far, Hegarty, Dipascuale thinks, is also a good leader.
"He's really good with hand eye coordination, is really athletic and good with his hands," Dipascuale said. "We're really lucky and happy to have him."
Whether the sport uses sticks or feet, club sports are having an exciting year at UP.
