2009 Lonestar Alliance Champions: Texas Longhorns

For the Senior Class, this year’s title brings their careers full circle. All 4 years, Texas has competed in the LSA Finals, losing the previous two to rival Texas A&M. The 2009 seniors took the title over Texas Tech in 2006 with a 7-0 second half comeback. This year’s title wouldn’t come with quite as much drama, but the post-game would be equally enthusiastic.

Texas Uses All 60 Minutes to Beat Mustangs
On Friday, SMU, who has the only LSA victory against Texas, aside from TAMU, in the last 3 years, pushed the team until the fourth, in a back-and-forth nailbiter. Though Texas would jump out quick 3-1 in the first, slow second and third quarters allowed the Mustangs to hang around. SMU led 8-7 midway through the fourth, before a 3-1 run put Texas on top, where they’d remain until the final buzzer. Individual efforts were highlighted by LSA Rookie of the Year Johnny McKnight’s performance, who had 3 goals, and LSM Steffan Knipp’s 2 transition goals.

Final Score: Texas 10, SMU 8

Big Lead Translates to Lesser Victory Over Mean Green. Texas controlled nearly the entire game against UNT, leading by as much as 8 in the late third quarter. Doug Boyer netted 4 and Johnny McKnight had 3 in the contest. The Longhorns’ defense proved strong against the shoot-often Mean Green, until complacency and late substitutions allowed them to creep within 3 right at the end. Towers Wilen had 11 saves, while Sophomore Phil West was able to stop 3 during a short injury-substitution for Wilen. “X-Factor” Tyler Nix, who’s missed almost the entire season due to off-season shoulder surgery, came in firing, looking very reminiscent of his sophomore campaign, netting 3 quick goals on as many shots. Nix will return for his senior season healthy, and will brighten the outlook for the 2010 season.

Final Score: Texas 16, UNT 13

Longhorns Collect Individual Awards Lacrosse is truly a team game, but nonetheless, the LSA’s best team was awarded with a variety of individual awards. Said Coach Noah Fink of the awards: “I feel like we were under-represented due to the depth of our team. I preach to my team the importance of a team effort, but it’s nice for them to receive some attention. I’d rather take my guys to Denver under-represented than have a group of All-LSA guys whose season is over.”

2009 LSA Division 1 Awards
1st Team
M Johnny McKnight (Rookie of the Year, All-American Candidate)
D Max Atherton

2nd team
A Evans Swann
M William Lawson
D Mark Anderlik

Honorable Mention
A Doug Boyer
M Alex Kroviak

Texas Longhorns Celebrate Victory

Texas will represent the LSA in the MCLA National Championships in Denver, CO, starting May 12, 2009. Stay tuned for updates.