Apr. 16th, 2003 - Oakland seniors play last game at home
By Adam Spindler
Assistant Sports Editor, The Oakland Post
The OU men's club lacrosse team swept its final home stand of the season this past weekend, improving its record to 11-1 with wins over Taylor University, Central Michigan University, and Indiana University in consecutive days.
The Grizzlies' easiest win came Friday against Taylor University, who forfeited an hour before the game.
OU's players and fans were already settling in at the Upper Fields before head coach Dwayne Hicks arrived with the news. His team wasn't pleased.
"We were ready to play," said senior attacker Towbey Kassa. "It was a nice day, our fans were there, and everyone was ready for a good game of lacrosse."
They wouldn't have to wait long for their next contest. Un-ranked CMU came to town Saturday, hoping to upset the 12th-ranked Grizzlies.
OU was up to the task, defeating the Chippewas by a score of 21-7. The Grizzlies struggled early on defense, but picked up the pace in the second half.
Hicks was pleased with the victory, but felt his team could have played better.
"We should have dominated more on both ends," he said. "But when you have a bull's-eye on your back, and everyone's trying to take you down, it's about doing what you have to do to win, and we did that."
The Grizzlies fought off another underdog Sunday, defeating Indiana University, 20-13, in OU's final home game of the season.
The Hoosiers put up a fight in the first half, but the Grizzlies rallied behind sophomore attacker Billy Binge's game-high nine goals.
"Billy just turned it on," said Kassa. "Everyone fed off his energy."
Kassa contributed five goals and three assists, and senior mid-fielder Brad Benigni added three goals.
Kassa was one of four seniors playing their final home game at OU. Emotions ran high.
"I won't lie – I was choked up," Kassa said. "It was hard, but it felt good. At times when the action was on the other side of the field, I just sort of sat back and thought, 'Wow. Look how far we've come.'"
The Grizzlies must now turn their focus to their final regular-season game, against in-state rival Western Michigan University at 4 p.m. on Saturday at Birmingham Seaholm High School.
"It doesn't matter that they're unranked," said Kassa. "This is the battle of gold and black. We want to show them why we're the 12th-ranked team in the nation, and they want to show they can beat the 12th-ranked team in the nation."
The Central Collegiate Lacrosse Association playoffs will take place the following week.
If the Grizzlies win the tournament, they'll receive an automatic bid to the U.S. Intercollegiate Lacrosse Associates‚ national tournament in St. Louis.
If the Grizzlies lose in the CCLA tournament, their high national ranking should still garner them an at-large bid to nationals. It would be the first time qualifying for nationals in the program's history.
Win or lose in the next two weeks, Hicks said this season has been a success.
"I couldn't be more proud of these guys and how far they've come," he said. "Five years ago, everyone thought Oakland University was in California. Now they know it's in Michigan, and that it has a heck of a lacrosse team. That says a lot about the dedication of these kids. They've made me proud."
Benigni echoed his coach's sentiments.
"Overall, being a part of this team was my best experience at Oakland," he said. "Lacrosse is the reason I've enjoyed school."
This article originally appeared on the Oakland Post Online.