Blog Post #1

Bobs go 3-1 to start the season

The Bobcats original season opener - earmarked for Sunday February 18 against St. Michael's - fell victim to inclement weather and was subsequently cancelled. That made the following weekend's contest at home to Wheeling on Saturday February 24 the official start to the Bobcats' season. After the first quarter of the game, the score was 7-1; a lead the Bobcats would never gave it back. Despite the constant snowfall throughout the game, FSU would start season off with a banger overcoming the Cardinals 29-9. Graduate student Bubba Love scored a career-high eight goals along with five assists, and his teammate Austin Sipes matched his career-high five goals along with eight assists. Eight other Bobcats scored to send Wheeling packing.

In the second game of the season on Saturday March 2, FSU hosted Mercyhurst in a top-20 match up. FSU started the first quarter off with an early score, but Mercyhurst then proceeded to score four straight goals before the Bobcats would scored one more to make the score 2-4 at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, the teams traded goals, ending the half at 7-8. Then, in the third quarter both teams scored three goals back-to-back-to-back making it a 10-11 game. At the start of the final quarter, Mercyhurst came out strong with a goal, but the Bobcats answered right back with one of their own before the Lakers went on a 3-0 run to make the score 11-15. Down but not out, FSU goes on a 3-0 run to stay in the game making the score 14-15 with 1:43 remaining. Unfortunately, and despite a heroic team effort, FSU was unable to score again and lost the game 14-15 in a heartbreaking defeat. The leading scorers for the Bobs were Chase Buckwalter (4), Owen McCallum (3), and Austin Sipes (2).

On March 5, FSU played their third straight home game when they took on Walsh and showed not only a dominant offense but an authoritative defense. With an aggressive start, the Bobcats were able to show off their fast pace and teamwork to take a 5-0 lead. It was not until the second quarter that Walsh scored their first goal making it 5-1, but FSU was quick to regain control with two goals back-to-back making it 7-2 at the half. In the third quarter, the Bobcats scored two quick goals making it 9-2 before the teams traded goals to end the third quarter at 11-5. The fourth quarter was a shutout with the Bobcats finalizing the game 13-5; a truly dominant performance by FSU.

On Saturday March 9, following the dominant win against Walsh, the Bobcats took to the road to take on Malone. in a ECC/GMAC Challenge Cup Game. The Bobs took a dominant early lead 4-0, which by the end of the first quarter had stretched out further to 7-1. The second quarter saw more back-and-forth action between the teams with the Bobcats maintaining a strong and distant lead of 13-5 to end the first half. Coming into the second half, the third quarter belonged to Bobcats, with a dominant defense to keep the Pioneers to scoring only one, while also netting two goals to head into the fourth quarter with a 15-6 lead. In the fourth quarter, the Pioneers fought hard, but the Bobcats did not waiver. The game ended with a 16-10 win for FSU.

With a 3-1 start to the season, the Bobcats occupy the 16-spot in the most recent USA Lacrosse Division II Men's Top 20.

FSU supports One Love with Men's and Women's game dedications

One Love is a foundation that was made in 2010 to honor Yeardley Love. Yeardley Love was killed by her ex-boyfriend on May 3, 2010, just before her graduation. During the trial, they learned that there were signs of an abusive relationship. One Love was made to honor her and empower young people who were in abusive relationships and help them not suffer the same fate as Yeardley Love. Today, and according to Madi Welder, Engagement Manager for The One Love Foundation in Maryland, Washington DC, and Virginia: "One Love is the national leader in preventing relationship violence and abuse."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BprdpyKwZyg

One Love teaches people healthy signs and unhealthy signs by holding workshops that instruct young adults. This also helps young adults know what to do we they see these signs and how to change that behavior. One of the ways One Love does this is by using interactive skills-based workshops that help young adults practice these healthy and unhealthy signs. This program helps inspire people to talk about this genuine issue that could help build healthy relationships instead of abusive unhealthy ones.

Welder talks more about the One Love program; this is what he said:

"The efforts started with a resource on the 10 signs of a healthy and unhealthy relationship. But we've expanded from an initial focus on intimate and romantic relationships to friendships more generally. And we do so through a three-part approach. The first step is to educate individuals because we want that behavior change at the individual level. Second, we want to raise awareness. Finally, we want to mobilize millions. We want young people to have the skills and confidence to lead this discussion. The goal is to end relationship abuse and create a world of healthier relationships."

One Love has been partnering with Frostburg State University and the Men's and Women's Lacrosse programs for almost 10 years now and has helped many students. Coach Steve Gartelman states: "This is more than just winning lacrosse games; it's about spreading awareness and making people more aware with these conversations and workshops.”

The Walsh game on the Men's side along with the Women's Lacrosse match up against Shippensburg on the same date was the latest One Love game dedication. The lacrosse teams and One Love also had a dedication event in the Fall, which was accompanied by a workshop.

Welder about the relationship between FSU and One Love:

"One Love has partnered with Frostburg State University since 2015 when over 500 students were educated through our film Escalation. Then, the first One Love game dedication at Frostburg State was in 2016. The game dedications at the beginning of this month were actually the second of the academic year following a game dedication in the Fall on October 22. The week prior to the October game dedication, the team's also hosted a Behind The Post workshop that was facilitated by Emily Llewellyn who is a Frostburg State University staff counselor."

While the season is still young, the Bobs are clearly planting the flag both on and off the field.