Cambridge University Mixed Lacrosse Club (CUMLC) started their season in splendid style on Sunday with a comfortable 19-2 win against opponentsBrighton.

Cambridge started the first quarter brightly, looking dangerous in attack and assured in defence. The straight attacks used speed and skill to outwit the Brighton defenders and create a huge number of chances. Any attempts by the opposition to counter-attack were stifled by the Light Blue defence, who displayed impressive communication and tactical awareness despite the large number of new faces in the team.

The second quarter saw much of the same from Cambridge. The flurry of goals was testament to the determination of every Cambridge player to keep possession and win every ball. The defence remained solid, carrying the team and new goalkeeper Harriet Wade into the half time break with a clean sheet.

Brighton were clearly frustrated by the scoreline as the team are used to being a dominant force in the league. The third quarter was harder for Cambridge; Brighton packed their midfield with their speediest male players and resorted to passes from one end of the pitch to another in order to create chances.

Their efforts were, for the most part, held in check by a Cambridge defence anchored by 2013-14 captains Ellen Heddle and Wei-Ying Chen, only allowing Brighton a single consolatory goal during the quarter.

Despite the dominant performance, there is no room for complacency in lacrosse games, and CUMLC entered the fourth quarter in a quest for more goals.

To fight off Brighton’s spirited play, a series of excellent transitions from midfield to attack resulted in more goals for the Cambridge side, denying Brighton the chance to add more than one other goal to their tally.

Special mention must go to Cambridge midfielder Jacob Lam for contributing 6 goals to the 19-2 scoreline. Howver, the first win of the season for the Light Blues came as the result of impressive teamwork from the whole CUMLC side rather than just the prowess of one individual.

The result will build confidence for the new-look CUMLC side at the start of the new season and is a great follow-up from very successful past seasons.
In two weeks’ time, the Light Blues face The Other Place in their first showdown since Cambridge’s 9-5 Varsity win in February. GDBO!