Jake Supran
jasupran@ursinus.edu
When you hear somebody being called a “GOAT,” you usually think of Lebron James or Tom Brady. How about Bobby McClure?
McClure may have become the best scorer Ursinus College lacrosse has ever seen after the Bears 15-10 win over Mary Washington.
This past Saturday, the #12 ranked Bears faced Mary Washington in a Centennial Conference vs. Capital Athletic Conference matchup. The Ursinus men’s lacrosse team was geared up for their second battle of the season behind captains Nolan Sachs, Evan Scott and Hakan Atillasoy. The Bears were able to prove their worth in capping their weekend off with a win.
Mary Washington broke open the game only nine seconds in by scoring a goal right off the face off. Following the quick start, the Bears fired right back with a goal from Alex Dean followed by two more by Aaron Grill and Atillasoy. Mary Washington answered back to make it a 3-2 game before Ursinus scored 6 unanswered goals. The game was a close one going into the locker room at 8-5.
Following halftime, Ursinus would not be denied. They finished the rest of the game keeping their distance on the scoresheet. The Bears would not cede a three-goal lead after going up 9-6 with 11:27 left in the third quarter. Senior defenseman Noah Frantz believed sticking to the game plan was key, “We worked as a total unit and were able to really win the one on one matchups. We just played really solid fundamental defense.”
During the game, Bobby McClure notched six assists, projecting him into being the all-time leader in points in Ursinus College men’s lacrosse history. He passed ’19 graduate Peter Desimone who is now a graduate assistant for the Bears. McClure also recorded three goals in the game, placing him only one goal shy of Desimone’s career goals record of 121. Bobby is just focused on going game by game. “I just play to win with the team and if we play well together, the points come with that.”
Since Saturday, the Bears handily beat Eastern College and #20 Christopher Newport University. McClure scored 4 goals between the two games allowing him to beat Desimone’s record of 121 career goals. With McClure now securing the all-time points and goals records, it begs the questions: Is he the best scorer in Ursinus men’s lacrosse history? The stats speak for themselves.
McClure and Atillasoy have been quite the dynamic duo this season so far. They have scored a combined 28 goals and 20 assists. That is good for more half the team’s total goals (53) and assists (34). McClure hopes together they can lead the Bears’ offensive attack to another Centennial Conference championship. “We’re getting more production from more guys.” McClure says, “I think we’re more well-rounded.”
This win against Mary Washington boosted their national ranking from #12 to #9 in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA). This made them the highest ranked team in the Centennial Conference with Gettysburg at #12, Dickinson at #15, and Franklin & Marshall at #19.
The Ursinus College men’s lacrosse team looks forward to their next matchup at Montclair State University on Wednesday, March 4th. Following this game, the Bears have matchups against Illinois Wesleyan and Stockton before they start their conference schedule. They open their Centennial Conference schedule in a championship rematch against rival Gettysburg College. Make sure you get to some Bears lacrosse games this season as they look for another deep playoff run!