The University of Bristol Men's 1s lacrosse team has concluded a spectacular 2023/24 season, marked by thrilling victories, exceptional individual performances, and a solid run in the BUCS 6s championship and National Championship. Here's a closer look at the team's journey this season:
Season Highlights
Strong Start: The season kicked off with a nail-biting 9-8 win against the University of Exeter. The match set the tone for the season, showcasing our tenacity and skill under pressure. Ollie Knudsen and Pete Watson were instrumental in this victory, earning the Man of the Match titles for their roles in attack and on face-off, respectively.
BUCS 6s Championship: Demonstrating resilience and commitment, seven of our players travelled to Nottingham at dawn for the BUCS 6s championship. Our team advanced to the semi-finals, a commendable achievement, with Carter Clothier standing out and getting scouted for the England Aspire Talent Pathway.
Consistent Wins: Our winning streak continued through the season, including two significant victories against the University of Bath and a dominating performance against Cardiff University, winning 21-4. These games highlighted our offensive strength and strategic gameplay.
Charity Match Under the Lights: One of the season's highlights was a 14-5 victory over Exeter during our charity league match played under the Wednesday Night Lights. Vihan Janindu, our goalkeeper, was particularly notable, earning the Man of the Match for his incredible saves.
Sweeping Bath: For the first time since the pandemic, we swept past Bath with an 11-5 win, with Ollie Knudsen leading the charge in attack once again.
Dominance Over Plymouth MARJON: Our defense and offense synced perfectly in back-to-back matches against Plymouth MARJON, culminating in clean sheets and overwhelming wins of 22-0 and 19-0.
Challenges and Resilience
Tough Losses Against Oxford: The latter part of the season brought challenging games against Oxford, where despite a strong start, we faced narrow defeats of 8-9 and 11-5. These matches were crucial as they were decisive for the league title.
National Championship: Securing a coveted first-round bye in the national tournament was a testament to the team's ability. However, facing off against a formidable opponent like the University of Durham in the subsequent round was no easy feat. Durham's line-up boasted former NCAA players, bringing a level of experience and talent that tested Bristol's resolve. Despite a valiant effort, Bristol ultimately fell short in a hard-fought battle, settling for a 5th/6th place finish in the country. It's a testament to Bristol's resilience and commitment that they reached such a high level of competition and held their own against some of the best teams in the nation with a majority-led strong group of members starting lacrosse at university. They can hold their heads high knowing they left it all on the field. The experience gained and lessons learned will undoubtedly fuel their determination as they prepare for future seasons, ready to rise to any challenge that comes their way.
Standout Players
MVP - Chase Griffin: Dominant in attack, against all opponents but particularly against Cardiff and Plymouth MARJON, showcasing his scoring prowess as our top goal scorer.
Carter Clothier: A consistent performer throughout the season, especially noted for his role in midfield transition and physical prowess.
Scott Wallace, Ollie Knudsen, Vihan Janindu: Our 1s captains all having pivotal roles in leading the title charge as well as Man of the Match performances, critical in our offensive strategies and defensive stops.
Looking Forward
As we reflect on the season, we are extremely proud of our accomplishments and the incredible spirit shown by each team member. The experiences gained this season will undoubtedly fuel our determination to come back stronger, aiming for the BUCS Premier South title in the next season and further fight in the National Championship. We invite prospective members to join us on this exciting journey, where commitment, skill, and sportsmanship thrive.
