Losing a big game early in a season may not seem like a very positive thing for a team, but certain squads bounce right back.
The MSU men's club lacrosse team (7-1), after dropping its second game in Gainesville in early March, refused to let the loss column get any higher than one.
The No. 20 Spartans have won the last six games in a row, and will next face Eastern Michigan University on April 17.
"Florida has been the best team we've played so far," captain and defenseman Chris Zolkower said. "We came out with a 6-1 lead and let them back into the game. We learned a lot from that experience. It made this team stronger."
Another team captain, attacker Brian Baines, said taking a loss helps teams pull themselves back up, if they do it the right way.
"This whole experience can be taken as a positive because it helped our team to refocus and get back on track," Baines, an international relations senior, said.
That loss, as well as recent road trips, have sparked a new team chemistry, Zolkower, a criminal justice senior, said.
"This team has gone through a drastic change since the beginning of spring," he said. "It took some time for everyone's personalities to mold together. Now, there is more and more camaraderie forming after each road trip. The team has become much closer, and they have covered leaps and bounds since the beginning."
Head coach Matt Holtz said this team is improving, but there is always room for the team to get better.
"I think they have been starting to come together," Holtz said. "Yet they still need to come out playing for an entire game.
"They have played great halves as a whole team and had great performances from the defense or offense certain games, but they are yet to come out and play an entire game."
The two most important games of the season will take place within the next 10 days, Zolkower said. No. 1 ranked BYU comes to East Lansing at 7:30 p.m. Friday, while No. 5 Michigan takes on the Spartans in Birmingham on April 21.
MSU plays BYU at Ralph Young Field next to Spartan Stadium.
"Both of these games are crucial wins that the team needs," Baines said.
"We want to make strides as a program and get to the national tournament. A couple of good games would help this team and give us confidence going into the playoffs."
Two of the captains and coach Holtz believe this team could make it to the national tournament if it continues to capitalize on its player chemistry and skill.
"I certainly believe this team has the talent to go far," Holtz said.
Zolkower said if the squad comes out and plays at its highest level possible, the team cannot be touched.
"We are definitely one of the best teams in the nation when we put all of our skills together and play as a team," Zolkower said. "We just need to make it happen."
The game against Central Michigan University on April 18 is Senior Charity Day.
All proceeds will be donated to Ele's Place, a nonprofit, community-based organization that supports grieving children and their families.
