Would love to point out that Widener was Stevensons biggest challenge from 2013-2017 in the early stages of the original MAC Lacrosse Conference.DeepPocket wrote: ↑Thu Feb 08, 2024 9:09 pmOn Widener, I agree with most of this. I’ve noted on this forum in recent years that Widener plays a more scrappy, workman style brand. Often out talented by Eastern, but never out worked, as they competed with their different styles for that third MAC spot.MVPiccoli wrote: ↑Thu Feb 08, 2024 8:51 pm StevieUAlum has been gracious on other topics. I like him. A list is a list. I think the 3-4 estimate is pretty spot on.
I DISLIKE Eastern and Stevenson for different reasons, but respect both, and frankly I'm jealous y'all get to watch your boys play in 2025 and beyond, but I digress.
Actually focused my attention on this thread because Widener was on my mind. That program, and university, man, if anyone stands to gain from Cabrini's loss, I think it's the Pride (should have stuck with Pioneers you administrative goons, I'm off topic again). So much local talent looking for the right DIII fit. No offense to Eastern or the other local spots, but those are not the place for young, less educationally inclined (in HS!), savages. I wonder how, or if, they can figure it out. Rob Chambers is no Colfer IMO. Lockard was lazy. They haven't had a real one in the head man spot since Jamie Steele, again IMO. Sleeping giant.
Clearly Chambers has the current players buying in, as we see them staying for grad years. I don’t know the reason why we didn’t see him make a few portal moves this year, and with just 6 incoming freshmen. Perhaps if they can do some damage returning all of last year’s top 10 scorers, they can make themselves more attractive to both commits and transfers alike …
It was a huge rivalry through that time span and Widener had some ranked teams in those years. Specifically 2013 & 2017, Widener played Stevenson to within one goal, two AA players believe it was Dashiell and Pritchett who scored game winners for the boys on those days.
Widener boasted some great AA caliber guys from those years, the Taylor Brothers (Tim and Shane), Mac Nestler was a phenomenal goalie.
I personally think it would be great for the optics of the conference for Widener to be relevant again. The MAC needs to become similar to the ODAC and Centennial with 3-4 ranked, quality teams who all make the NCAA tournament, grow the game.