The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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Midfielder Alex Vasileff is part of a senior class that helped U-M win national championships at the club level in 2009 and 2010. PHOTO BY MARTIN VLOET/UM PHOTO SERVICES CHAMPIONSHIP CULTURE E BUILDING A club program, which was promoted to varsity this summer, went 241-44 in 14 years under the direction of head coach John Paul. That included two undefeated seasons and three consecutive national titles between 2008-10. When the team was pro- moted to the varsity level last sum- mer, none of the players on the squad had lost more than two games during their college careers. veryone associated with the University of Michigan men's lacrosse team is used to experiencing success. The BY TIM SULLIVAN 90 THE WOLVERINE APRIL 2012 Team One Is Establishing A Lacrosse Tradition The sledding is a little tougher in the team's inaugural season of var- sity play. With Paul still at the helm, the transition to the NCAA Divi- sion I level has been an adjustment for all involved. Going from the top of the heap in one league to the very bottom in another has been a major shock to Michigan's system. The Wolverines have started their with the mindset that they can win, the players and coaches on Michi- gan's Team One have realistic expec- tations for their season. Accordingly, they've had to shift their focus away from the win-loss ledger. "We gameplan to win every game, first varsity season 1-6 through March 16, and the lone victory came March 4 over lowly Mercer, a sec- ond-year program that has yet to win its first Division I game. Although they're still preparing for each game and we're preparing to win every game," Paul said. "We would love to be coming out on the top end of all of these, but ultimately I'd be put- ting a gun to my head if that was how I was going to judge this year. I just can't. We came into the season knowing this is going to be a really challenging season to get wins. We