Local laxers on the Spartans

Stone McGregor, Rohahiio Stacey, and Karonhiakehson Jacobs are on the roster for the St. Thomas Aquinas College Spartans, a Division 2 NCAA lacrosse program hoping to build itself up in the East Coast Conference after a few tough seasons.

“We’ve put in a lot of work in the offseason, so I’m excited to see it pay off,” said McGregor, who is a sophomore at St. Thomas Aquinas.

Although that work did not pay off against their first opponent, the Adelphi University Panthers, McGregor said they learned a lot from their 20-8 opening loss.

“It was tough, but it showed us the level we need to reach. We didn’t execute the way we should have,” said McGregor.

“It’s early, so we’re using it as motivation to tighten up and come back stronger.”

Spartans head coach Brett Capps is happier with the performance, because his players stayed positive and reinforced the culture he is trying to build in his first year with the top job after serving as an associate coach last year.

“We carried ourselves very well. So, I feel that we have a very positive energy for the team, and I’m very hopeful for that to carry through throughout the season, where last year I didn’t feel that same positivity,” said Capps.

“It’s very promising. I think after our first game, I’m very hopeful with the way that the season is heading.”

Capps hopes that the change in culture will make the Spartans a desirable program for talented recruits.

“What we have to do is turn these guys into a family, build a culture, turn this into a foundation that other guys say I want to be a part of. And we’re in the process of doing that,” said Capps.

He said the three Kahnawa’kehró:non on the team are a part of that.

McGregor has been very happy to have some more players from his community join him on the squad.

“Our community takes lacrosse seriously, so there’s a standard we all carry with us. There’s definitely extra motivation to represent where we’re from the right way, both on and off the field,” said McGregor.

“We’ve known each other for years, so that chemistry and trust translates naturally.”

Capps had great things to say about all three players.

First, McGregor, who will now be trusted as a leader on defense after playing as a long stick midfielder (LSM) last year.

“We’re going to be expecting a lot out of him, and he already has shown us a lot already in that first game. He’s got a high lax IQ, and he brings a lot of energy to that defense,” said Capps.

“He an important member of our defense, as far as being a ringleader and knowing what to do and when to do it.”

Jacobs, a freshman LSM, has shown a lot of enthusiasm.

“If you tell him to jump, he says how high. If you tell him to run, he doesn’t even say how long, he just takes off. He’s a hard worker,” said Capps.

He’s hoping to give Jacobs plenty of opportunities on the offensive side of the ball.

“I really do expect to see some goals, and I plan on keeping him on the field during some offensive play this year in order for that to happen,” said Capps.

As for Stacey, a freshman forward, he did not play in the first game against Adelphi, but it’s just a matter of time before he hits the field, Capps said. The players “sharpening their tools,” as he said, are just as important to building a winning culture as the starters to him.

“He’s definitely developing from being a predominantly box lacrosse player playing in tight to learning how to spread the field and spread himself out,” said Capps.

He’s been very willing to learn and easy to coach so far, said Capps, and that has meant he’s already improved a lot, and he’ll get on the field soon enough.

The Spartans will next play on Saturday against Emory & Henry University.

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