The Cairn University Men's lacrosse team is about to begin its first competitive season in program history. Before joining the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) in 2022, the Highlanders will be able to get one season under their belt as they compete independently.
The Highlanders are set to be led by head coach
Vincent Culpepper. Coach Culpepper brings great leadership and experience to the Highlanders program. After his lacrosse playing days at Wittenberg University and Indiana University, Vincent began coaching in 2015 before being hired by Cairn to build the lacrosse program in 2019. He had this to say about the upcoming inaugural season:
"It has been a long time coming to kick off the inaugural season. We have faced more adversity in the past year then I was expecting, but our men have faced it head on and it has grown us closer as a family. I am excited to embrace our "small" beginnings and see what the Lord has planned for us this season. This season we are focused on us. We are learning how to love and trust one another, setting our foundation on solid ground."
The athletes on this inaugural squad are excited to see their hard work being put into action on a lacrosse field for the first time. Sophomore captain, attackman
Isaiah Cohen, had this to say about the goal for this season:
"I'm excited to touch the field with the men around me and the coaching staff we have. Our goal this year isn't focusing on wins and losses but growing closer as a family and laying our #AndThenSome foundation. I know God has a special plan for this group of men." Freshman attackman Jon Balsamo also remarked on his excitement about joining the team for his first intercollegiate season:
"I came to Cairn to help build the men's lacrosse program. We have been working hard through these unprecedented times, I am excited to hit the field and see our hard work in action." Junior captain, attackman Josh Reoun, discussed his goals in leading the team:
"I'm excited to help lead the first men's lacrosse program at Cairn as one of the captains. I trust that the Lord has great plans for us this season. Our goal is simple this first season, focus on us, focus on F.A.M.I.L.Y- Forget About Me I Love You!"
The Highlanders are set to play seven games in their inaugural season. All 11 games will be played away this season as the Highlanders await the completion of the Stillman Sports Complex. The Highlanders will play their first official game on March 6th against Wesley College with game time set for 2:00 PM. The Wolverines are looking to get back on track after having a 3-12 record during the 2019 campaign.
Next, the Highlanders will travel to Kean University on March 20th to take on the Cougars.
The Highlanders will face the Ravens of Rosemont College twice this season with games scheduled on March 24th and April 7th. This will be a familiar face for the Highlanders as Rosemont is a member of the CSAC.
In between the Rosemont matchups, the Highlanders will travel to Keyser, West Virginia to take on the Catamounts of Potomac State College on March 27th, with game time set for 2:00PM.
On April 10th, Cairn will travel to West Windsor Township, New Jersey for a matchup with the Vikings of Mercer County Community College.
On April 17th, the Highlanders will take on NJCAA Region 19 member Delaware Technical Community College, with game time set for 1:00 PM.
Cairn will travel to Media, Pennsylvania on April 24th for a matchup with Williamson College of the Trades at 1:00PM.
The Highlanders will travel to Keystone College on April 28th for a matchup with the Giants. Keystone is another familiar face the Highlanders will need to get used to seeing, as they are a member of the CSAC.
To round off the eleven game season on May 1st, Cairn will travel to Hackettstown, New Jersey for a matchup at Centenary University against the Cyclones, another eventual CSAC foe, at 1:00 PM.
All games, times, and locations are subject to change. To view the current schedule, please visit https://www.cairnhighlanders.com/schedule.aspx?path=mlax
