Written by Will Sargent, Staff Writer

Piedmont College’s 2020 men’s lacrosse season is underway. The Lions capped off the 2019 season with a conference championship and are looking to ride the momentum from the past season onward. Entering the season as USA South champions, the Lions held a 9-9 record, while looking to pick up right where they left off. 

“With a championship comes a higher expectation. I don’t want there to be any added pressure on repeating as conference champions, but we know that we are one of the better teams in the conference,” said Tim Dunton, the men’s lacrosse coach. “We also know that there is a huge target on our backs, and we know that we are going to get everyone’s best.” 

With a target on their back, it gives Piedmont the motivation and endurance to prove that they can make another strong championship run. 

Seniors Josh Cobbina, Jeremy Kohn and Brady Jenks are three of the Lions’ integral pieces to an elite performance on the field. Coach Tim Dunton wants to send his top seniors out on a high note after all of the hard work and perseverance that they have dedicated to the program. 

“That is certainly our goal,” Dunton said. “They have been a tremendous asset to our program over these past four years and took a chance on us when we were nothing and they, along with our coaching staff, have turned this into a very good team.” 

The men’s lacrosse team is on the road to conference play, which begins in the upcoming weeks. The Lions have kickstarted the season, with no signs of slowing down. Alongside a mix of players, old and new, the men’s lacrosse team is a force to be reckoned. 

“Just playing as a group, playing unselfish and finding the best shot. When we play at our best, it doesn’t really matter who scores,” said Dunton. We test ourselves out of conference for the moments leading up to conference play so that we can be prepared.”

With a long season ahead, momentum and motivation play a significant factor when it comes to confidence and style of play on the field, and the men’s lacrosse team has it all. 

“We do play a lot of older guys, but we do have a lot of younger guys playing for us too, and confidence goes a long way for those younger guys,” said Dunton. “But then the experience of the older guys kicks in and they understand what it takes.”