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The 2006-2007 Texas season had its fair share of peaks and lows. Having dedicated their season to the memory and legacy of great player and friend Tyler Cross, the Horns had their eyes on the prize all year--an LSA Championship and an MCLA National Championship berth. Their dream season would be cut short at the hands of bitter in-state rivals.
Playing without leading scorer and All-American Midfielder Paul McCloud, Texas would have to find a different approach to winning during the championship weekend. After rolling through the Texas State Bobcats in the semi-finals, the boys from Austin found themselves matched against a familiar foe--Texas A&M.
The Aggies made it clear that they had come to play, scoring on their first three possessions, including netting their first only 15 seconds into the first quarter. The Horns would put in two of their own though before the end of the first, heading in to the second 3-2.
It was in the second quarter that it all came tumbling down for Texas. Just like in the first, they would net 2 more goals. But during the fifteen minute span leading up to halftime, the Aggies would put in 9 of their own, taking a 7 goal lead into the midway point. To most of the fans on hand at Gerald Ford Stadium that day, the LSA Champions had been all but crowned.
It would be made clear though, only 20 seconds in to the third, that nobody told Texas they were done. Winning nine consecutive faceoffs, the boys would find the back of the net five times in seven minutes before allowing A&M a goal of their own. Closing the quarter in dramatic fashion, the Horns scored once more, closing the hird having narrowed the gap to only three. This game, it seemed, wouldn’t be quite the blowout the second quarter had hinted at.
With a newfound fight driving them forward, and some momentum to boot, the Longhorns would put away four in the fourth quarter. But it wouldn’t be enough to bring home another championship, as the team from College Station would live to play another day, finding the net 3 times themselves, including one in the final minute, extending the lead beyond Texas’ reach.
The 2007 Texas Longhorns lacrosse season may have come to a bitter end, but the lessons learned on and off the field were numerous. While there was no championship celebration to be had, the season was still a success. Not one player’s name will not appear on next year’s roster, as there are zero seniors leaving when the semester ends. Don’t expect the 2007-2008 Longhorns to share the same fate as they did this Spring, but rather to come out and avenge their 2007 losses. Be prepared for a big season out of the 2008 Longhorns--it’s guaranteed to be a good one.
Additional photos of the weekend available for purchase from Steven Herrmann
Article by Alex Kroviak
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