Impressive.
This is the only adjective that can be used to describe Cleveland State University’s budding lacrosse program.
The Vikings had an amazing third season. The team finished 8-7 and was 7-3 in their last ten games.
However, even more impressive has been how fast Cleveland State has been able to build a formidable lacrosse program in three short years.
Cleveland State men’s lacrosse head coach Dylan Sheridan was asked about how the Vikings have been able to build a program so quickly noted the collected effort it took.
“It starts with a really great support staff and the ability to attract some high character student-athletes,” Sheridan said. “That is really where it starts. We got really great athletes and they have bought into the vision of what we are building here.”
Despite their continued success, it is not uncommon to find students at programs like Cleveland State that feel under-recruited and missed in the recruiting processes. A program like Cleveland State’s lacrosse team is inherently underestimated in any sport. And this can definitely give Cleveland State an edge heading into games over more solidified programs around the country.
Sheridan mentioned that going into games his team thrives in being underestimated and that the Vikings want to be in the spot where they are underestimated by their opponents.
Despite being in its infancy, the Vikings have gone against teams such as Penn State that have a long history of being elite lacrosse programs. Penn State’s program is extremely well-coached and has a talented and experienced roster. They are a tough competitor for any team.
However, the Vikings were not intimidated by this and took the challenge head on. Sheridan explains what it took for the Vikings going up against Penn State.
“It’s about how do we accentuate our strengths and dictate tempo in the game,” Sheridan added. “And this is ultimately going to determine whether or not this is going to be successful. At the end of the day the focus is always on us.”
He further noted that critical to Cleveland State’s success has been their willingness to take challenges head on and not be afraid to compete against more established programs.
“The ability to play and schedule some of the top teams in the country really accelerated our learning curve,” Sheridan continued. “It sets the bar for the men in the program. It let them know how they needed to play to get to their goals.”
No matter who their opponent is, the Vikings stick to their fundamental keys to winning games.
“The theme going into every game is what can we do and how can we best utilize our systems,” Sheridan explained. “We really do not deviate our plan week to week or opponent to opponent.”
For the Vikings winning all season long has been a collective team effort and all about defense.
This season, ten different Viking players scored double digit in points. And nearly 2/3 of the team’s goals were assisted in games. All of the team’s players really stepped it up this year. No one player carries the team to victory.
“Offensively we got production from a bunch of guys,” Sheridan said. “Our defense and rope unit are really the essence for what they do.”
Defensively, the Vikings were responsible for more turnovers than their opponents during the season. Their defense is a signature part of their game on the field.
Cleveland State capped off its season with a huge win against Detroit Mercy. A win that the program is emphatic about achieving this season. In the win, the Vikings won the Horizon League Championship for the second time in three seasons.
“It’s always great to finish your season with a win,” Sheridan said with great pride. “It afforded us the opportunity to have a winning season for the first time in our program’s history.”
Detroit’s program has many similar characteristics as Cleveland State’s budding lacrosse program. They are both a city school in the Rust Belt and members of the Horizon League.
This is sure to be a nice start to a rivalry for Cleveland State and the Titans. So far, the Vikings have been able to get the best of the Titans. Despite their success this season, Cleveland State’s lacrosse program plans on making significant adjustments for next season.
“The biggest adjustment we plan on making is getting bigger and stronger,” Sheridan noted. “None of our guys are seniors we need to continue to develop physically in the weight room so that we are able to compete with some of the Big Ten and ACC schools.”
However, despite the passion the Vikings exhibit, Lacrosse is not the program’s only focus.
“We want to continue to win the off the field victories,” Sheridan concluded. “We can never take the spotlight of what our guys do in the classroom or what they do in the community. This is really important to the fabric of the culture we are building here. We are going to try and continue to win those victories as well.”
And this is one component that separates Cleveland State’s lacrosse program from other teams.
The Vikings are definitely an exciting program for fans to watch. Viking nation should be proud.
