In their next two matches, the men’s club lacrosse team wants to power past the University of Nebraska and the University of North Texas and hold onto its No. 2 ranking in the Lone Star Alliance’s North Division.
Coming off of a loss to Texas State 15-7, TCU will meet both Nebraska and UNT in competition during the weekend.
Junior Shea Pearson said the team is looking forward to playing Nebraska.
“A lot of the guys are excited to play a team out of state that’s from a different conference,” Pearson said.
He also said the team hopes to build its reputation in the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association. Winning would be a “stepping stone to the national powerhouse we want to be some day,” he said.
Grant Eason, also a junior, said the team should play well against Nebraska.
“We’ve got a good group of seniors and a bunch of players who are willing to do the dirty work to get the job done,” Eason said.
The Horned Frogs will meet UNT in Denton on Monday for their first away game of the season.
Eason said the rivalry between UNT and TCU has grown during the past year as each club has improved.
“I enjoy it,” he said. “They’re close to us, and they are a good team to play against.”
Several of the players said UNT is their biggest rivalry, not just because of proximity, but also because some of them have played against members of UNT’s team in summer league or in high school.
Junior Erik Sandstrom said he was good friends with one of UNT’s star players, and the friendship helped to foster some healthy competition.
UNT is just below the Horned Frogs in the rankings, and a loss on Monday could dash TCU’s playoff hopes.
Head coach Mark Miller said it could turn out to be a tough game because the Horned Frogs have suffered a few losses to UNT in the past.
But Pearson said he was optimistic. He said the juniors and seniors on the team have never won against UNT, but they are eager to “avenge a pretty brutal loss (their) freshmen year.”
Senior Matt Looney agreed.
“There are too many of us who are tired of being one game short (of making it to the playoffs),” Looney said.
TCU vs. Nebraska
When: 7 p.m. tonight
Where: Fort Worth Country Day School
