The 2016 men’s lacrosse team is preparing for its season to begin. With a new coaching staff, the Lions are ready to begin their season strong.

Though their regular season is just about to start, the Lions had a short fall season in which they had mandatory workouts five days a week as well as conditioning twice a week. They also played in two scrimmages during the fall semester against The University of Georgia and Emory University. According to the players, all of this hard work, along with their regular practices, is what’s preparing them for the season.

Head coach Tim Dunton is new to Piedmont’s athletic program, as this is his first year as the men’s lacrosse coach.

“I’m excited to work with these men on our team and try and prepare them for the season,” he said via email. “I’m extremely happy to be here at Piedmont, and I’m looking forward to building this program into a champion- ship-caliber team.”

The Lions have been practicing six days a week since the start of the semester. During practice, Dunton said that the team has been doing well grasping concepts that he and assistant coach Sumner Gantz want them to learn. Dunton said that his goal for the team is to make the playoffs this year. He also wants to see improvement in his players and to build a solid foundation for the program as it rebuilds.

According to Dunton, some important games for this season are against Millsaps College on Feb. 7 and Birmingham-Southern College on Feb. 12. Both will be played at the Walker Athletic Complex. These games will be especially competitive, Dunton said.

“They will be a good test for our program,” said Dunton.

“I’m pretty excited to play my last season with a bunch of guys who I came into this team with,” fourth-year long-stick midfielder Carter Jara said. “I’m also excited to play under Coach Dunton, help him establish a foundation for teams to come and to play for a conference champion- ship.”

The Lions’ first game will be on Feb. 7 at the Walker Athletic Complex against Millsaps College at noon.