Before the start of the 2025 season for Springfield College men’s lacrosse, the program made pillars for the next three months, and W.I.N. (what’s important now) is at the forefront. The Bowdoin scrimmage may be most important now — but Nazareth in two weeks is what all 49 players have their minds set on.
A year prior, Nazareth came to Stagg Field and stole the first game of the season at the buzzer from the Pride, as Springfield lost 10-9, leaving a bitter taste for the rest of the season. Springfield ended the season with a record of 7-10 in 2024 after an 0-8 start, and came up short in the NEWMAC championship game against Babson.
The Pride were in four games that were decided by two goals or less and lost three of them, but this year head coach Keith Bugbee believes his team will be on the right side of those results.
“We just can’t lose focus,” Bugbee said. “Playing the full 60 minutes will get us to where we want to be. These one goal games are decided by one specific play, and we can’t allow other teams easy opportunities.”
Bugbee has firm belief that this year’s team is much improved from last year. Eighteen players will enter their final year of eligibility, which includes captain Mason Nocito. The midfielder was a star for the Pride last year, putting up exceptional performances, including a six point show in a win against Western New England.
“I want to do something that this group hasn’t done yet, and that’s win a NEWMAC championship,” Nocito said. “I’m looking forward to growing with this group every day, and being the toughest team out there.”
When Springfield went 7-2 in its last nine games, it showcased that winning lacrosse plays game-in and game-out. Stats such as being top 50 in the country in turnovers per game, faceoff percentage and 23rd in man up offense lead to that record.
According to the Inside Lacrosse preseason poll, the Pride face six ranked opponents this year. Bugbee embraces that challenge every year.
“I’ve always loved the competitive schedule,” Bugbee said. “I think the guys do too, and I know we’re capable of competing with those teams. We have to do the little things right to win those games.”
Kaden Quirk is a senior captain and a goalie for the Pride, who transferred from St. John’s University last year. Quirk is one of the vocal leaders in the program, and was a key part to the creation of this year’s pillars. Quirk knows the success of the defense isn’t just through him.
“We showed in our scrimmage against Skidmore that when we play as a group defensively, we can accomplish our goal,” Quirk said. “It’s not just one guy. It takes all of us.”
Most of the defense consists of returning players and most were starters last year, but Bugbee is excited about a returner that will see the field a lot compared to last year.
“This will be a big year for Reece [Whitney],” Bugbee said. “He’s tall and has a ton of range, and he has real good stick work.”
Springfield travels up to Bowdoin for a scrimmage on Saturday, Feb. 8, and the following Saturday is the season opener against Nazareth. The team knows that this game provides an outlook on the rest of the season; Bugbee acknowledges the pressure that his team feels.
“We have to beat Nazareth,” Bugbee said. “That game is enormous to us. I’ve been through that five-hour bus ride back from Rochester after a loss — it’s not fun.”
The Pride are seeking to be 1-0 after Feb. 15, and have their home opener against Stevens Tech on Feb. 22.
Photo by Ella Travaglino