News Archive

Team Gets Serious
PBA lacrosse players take on high committment to team and faith.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – Attention all students, are you aware that we've had a "Baggataway" team at Palm Beach Atlantic University? Baggataway, better known as lacrosse, was originally an American Indian sport, played when preparing for battle, according to uslacrosse.org.

Palm Beach Atlantic's lacrosse team, a club sport, is student-run and headed by Chris Southard, head coach, and overseen by Assistant Director for campus recreation, Michael Meshaw. As a club sport, the lacrosse team has different regulations than a varsity team. First, the team is separate from the athletic department and does not play in the NCAA. Instead, the team participates against other club sports teams, such as the Savannah College of Art & Design, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and University of South Florida, to name a few.

"A club sport begins with the students," Meshaw said. "Students do not get scholarship money, campus recreation provides them with the additional funds needed, and they pay dues to help buy uniforms, pay for trips, and equipment."

Because the team is not an official varsity sport, all outside support, including spectators, depends on word of mouth. Awareness can be a big issue. Read more.

PBA Lacrosse Defeats Alumni, 18-8
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – The Palm Beach Atlantic University men's lacrosse team ended the season on a fun note–– a winning note too. Although statistics weren't kept, everybody on both teams knew what was at stake–– pride for a victory. Senior midfielder Nick Sammons registered his first ever collegiate goal for the Sailfish, before adding two more later in the game. PBA Head Coach Chris Southard also hit the scorebooks for the Alumni, but we just don't know how many times (we estimate about 20-25 goals for him).

PBA Returns From Inspiring Carolina Trip; defeat Furman 18-14
CHARLOTTE, NC – PBA traveled to Greenville, SC to visit the Furman Paladins on Saturday afternoon, winning 18-14. The Sailfish showed a jump in their step–– nevermind a late-night airplane delay and a notable lack of sleep. The difference came in the second quarter, where PBA added seven goals to take a comfortable halftime lead. Many PBA goals were by way of the fast break, leading the Sailfish to their highest offensive output of the season. Speaking of offensive output––captain Lance Villio (sr/attack) led the 'Fish by matching a season-high 8 goals and 2 assists. Also, Junior Jordan Jones led the midfield with six points (5 goals, 1 assist) and the Sailfish attack were on-fire, too: sophomore Jayson Schmidt had four goals and one assist, while sophomore Andrew Lockhart had four assists and one goal. Sophomore goalie Fritz Van der Grift had 27 saves.

In the Sunday game, PBA traveled to the campus of UNC-Charlotte to visit all 22,000+ students represented by the UNC-C lacrosse team. Despite having only 1/7 of the enrollment, the Sailfish held their own in a challenging 18-5 loss. Sophomore Andrew Lockhart led all Sailfish in scoring with one goal and three assists, while senior Lance Villio added three goals of his own. As usual, sophomore Fritz Van der Grift came up huge in net with 24 saves.

'Fish Topple 'Fins in Double-Overtime Thriller
WEST PALM BEACH, FL –– The Palm Beach Atlantic University Sailfish lacrosse team finished up a two game set late last week, going 1-1 over the stretch. On Thursday night, the Sailfish traveled to Coral Gables, FL to face the University of Miami Hurricanes. It was PBA's first game this season, while Miami came into the game 0-3 (losses to Florida, Florida State, and UCF). Although Miami is a DI school with almost three times the roster size of PBA, the Sailfish kept fighting and held to Hurricanes to a 13-2 win. Goal scorers for PBA were junior Jordan Jones (A/M, North Myrtle Beach, SC) and freshman attackman Drew Courter (Columbus, OH/Upper Arlington).

Palm Beach Atlantic got better acclimated to the speed of the SELC as the game went on– from allowing six goals in the first quarter, to four in the second, then two in the third, and one in the fourth. In the second half, Miami only outscored PBA 3-1.

In their second game, PBA hosted the Jacksonville University Dolphins. In what will be the only collegiate home game for the 'Fish, an estimated 200 fans attended in support of the navy and white. With one game under their belts, PBA definitely looked like a more seasoned team. Although Jacksonville struck first, both teams traded goals throughout the game, usually with the Sailfish on top. Led by senior Lance Villio's (Charlottesville, VA/The Covenant School) seven prior goals, PBA took a 10-7 lead in the fourth quarter-- JU, however, would eventually claw their way back into the game, sending it to overtime. After one scoreless overtime, it was Villio with the heroics and goal number eight (Schmidt, assist), tickling the twine in the second OT for a Sailfish win. Recapping the game: Lance Villio (Sr., M/A)- 8g; Drew Courter (Fr., A)- 2g; Andrew Lockhart (So., A/M)- 1g; Jayson Schmidt (So., A)- 1a.

The Sailfish (1-1) will travel to the Tampa area for a set of games this weekend. On Saturday, PBA will play "under the lights" against divisional opponent Eckerd College (0-1) [Gametime- 7pm, St. Petersburg, FL]. On Sunday, PBA will move across the bay for a matinee showdown against the SELC DI, University of South Florida (0-3) [Gametime- 1pm, Tampa, FL].

The LAXWORLD MCLA Preseason DII Top 25 Poll has been released-

1. Westminster
2. St. John's
3. St. Thomas
4. Dayton
5. Emory
11. Savannah College of Art & Design
14. UNC-Charlotte
Also receiving votes: Eckerd College, Liberty, Kennesaw State, Appalachian State, Furman, Tennessee Wesleyan

2007-2008 SELC Division II Coaches Preseason Poll (first-place votes in parenthesis)-

1. Emory (10)
2. UNC-Charlotte (4)
3. Savannah College of Art & Design (2)
4. Elon
5. Eckerd
6. Davidson
7. Furman
8. Appalachian State
9. Kennesaw State
10. Palm Beach Atlantic
11. Coastal Carolina
12. Georgia Southern
13. Liberty
14. Tennessee Wesleyan
15. High Point
16. Southern Virginia
17. Alabama