Club lacrosse begins postseason today

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It was quite the process, but at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday CMU club lacrosse coach Brad Thomas received an e-mail from Ron Hebert, the commissioner of the Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association.

The e-mail informed him the team reached the playoffs as a result of an investigation of ineligible players used by Eastern Michigan during the 2010 CCLA season, including last weekend’s 11-9 win against CMU.

As a result, CMU will play Miami (OH) (8-3) at 7 p.m. today in the first round of the CCLA playoffs at Saline High School.

Thomas said the regular season did not end the way we wanted it to, but the team is excited to have a second chance.

This is CMU’s fourth consecutive season in the playoffs. CMU holds a 2-3 record, never making it past the second round. Miami lost in the first round to Michigan State in the 2009 playoffs.

“It is win or go home without a lot more intensity,” said senior defenseman Andrew Tillman. “Were going to play more aggressive to throw off their game. Offensively were going to try to push the ball in transition more and catch them off guard to hopefully catch some breaks.”

Friday’s matchup will be the first time these two teams have met in the playoffs. CMU beat Miami 11-8 last year during the regular season.

The team is at a slight disadvantage with only one day to prepare for Miami, but Thomas said the team has the opportunity to continue its season today.

CMU is up against one of the better coached teams and players in the conference.

Miami freshman attacker and second-team All-Conference Joe McLaughlin, with 22 goals and 32 points, and all-conference honorable mention senior goalie Daniel Culp, who sits second in the CCLA with 132 saves and a .695 save percentage. Freshman midfielder Alex Manner was the face off player on the second-team all-conference.

“Face-offs will be huge and time of possession will be a key,” Thomas said. “These are two evenly matched teams and whichever team can posse the ball and finish more possessions will come out on top.”

2010 CCLA All-Conference Honors

2nd Team

-Brad Bielaniec, Jr. Defenseman- 45 ground balls

3rd Team

-Justin Schauffler, Jr. Attacker- 28 goals, 4 assists, 32 pts

-Darren Rivard, Sr. Midfielder- 15 assists, 17 pts

Honorable Mention

-Jeff Wood, Soph. Attacker- 23 goals, 31 assists

-Andrew Tillman, Sr. Defensemen- 1 assist.