After ending the season with two straight losses, the Lions find themselves on the outside of the playoffs for the second straight season.

After starting out the season 4-2, the team showed a lot of promise but couldn’t quite put things together in the long run, winning only one conference match this season.

The team does however have a lot of young players, which bodes well for the future.  The team lost a lot of close matches this year, and hopes to use this season’s experience to grow and learn.

Sophomore Jacob Mason (Southport, England) sees the future for the team as very bright.

“We have a lot of young guys that made contributions this year, and we have a good foundation to build upon.  I am eager to see how we can grow from this season, and get better for next year,” Mason said, “We are going to lose a lot of senior leadership, but I believe that the guys we have will be able to step up.”

19 players will return to the team next year, many of which played big minutes for the team this year.  The team looks to put this season behind them and build for the future.

The Lions finished the season with a 5-12-1 record, struggling mightily in conference play.  The team also struggled to produce goals throughout the season.  Different people will have to step up for next season and take on goal scoring roles, as the team loses senior Scott Hansen (Middletown Springs, Vt.), who was second on the team in goals.

Junior David Eddings (Endicott, N.Y.) believes that the team needs to learn to be more consistent game in and game out.

“Some games we played very well, and you could see the potential we had.  Other games you wouldn’t even recognize out there. We need to learn to bring it every game, and play intense for 90 minutes every night… with a few additions to next years team, we can continue to grow, and contend in the conference,” Eddings commented.

Senior Will Campbell (Anchorage, Alaska) believes that teams inconsistency was mostly due to the youth.

“We played a lot of young players, and with that brings a lack of experience.  I think we made the best out of what we had, and these guys have a chance to grow a lot in the future,” Campbell said.

Campbell also believes that the team needs to learn to trust in their coach, Dan Visser.

“Coach has been there before, and the guys need to learn to listen and trust in him even through the tough times,” Campbell said.

With a year of experience under their belts, the young Lions look to bounce back next season and contend for a CCC playoff spot.