(Photo Courtey of Marist Athletics)
College lacrosse has a rich history, filled with endless stories and legends.
And while the game is still growing at the college level and some programs have been around way longer than others, there is a certain amount of history at every program that can be heralded.
But what is considered the highest peak for all 75 current DI programs?
For some, the answer is very simple. But for others, the choices are endless and serious debates could be had about to determine the greatest season for that program.
Over the next few weeks, Lacrosse Bucket will be analyzing the greatest season for every team in every conference. And things continue here with the MAAC.
Best Season For Every Ivy League Program
Best Season For Every CAA Program
Best Season For Every Big Ten Program
The Best Season For Every Big East Program
The Best Season For Every ACC Program
The Best Season From Every America East Program
Canisius (2008)
Multiple records were set during the Canisius Golden Griffins’ 2008 season, which makes it the best season in the program’s history.
Led by a freshman Adam Jones, the 2008 Golden Griffins squad set the program record for wins in a season as they went 10-6, winning percentage(.625), won its first MAAC championship, and made the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, where they lost to Syracuse in the first round. The Griffins also rode an eight-game winning streak for a portion of that season, which has not been replicated since.
Detroit Mercy (2013)
The Titans don’t have too much history in the game yet, as the program began play in 2009. However, they have had some pretty good seasons, especially in the 2010s.
While Detroit Mercy went 5-10 during the 2013 season, it was a historic season for the Titans. They won the MAAC championship and made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history, where they gave Notre Dame some serious trouble in the first round, only losing 9-7.
Manhattan (2002)
Led by the offensive duo of Eugene Tanner and Nick Silva, the Manhattan Jaspers put together their best season in program history during the 2002 season.
The Jaspers went 11-6 overall, 7-0 in the MAAC, and won the MAAC Tournament for the first time in program history, defeating Mount St. Mary’s in the title game.They faced Georgetown in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. That season still stands as the most dominant in program history.
Marist (2015)
During the 2015 season, the Marist Red Foxes Made program history with what many recognize as the best season in program history.
Marist went 14-3 overall, 6-0 in the MAAC, and won the MAAC Tournament. The Red Foxes earned the ability to host the play-in game of the NCAA Tournament, where they beat Bryant to advance to face Syracuse in the first round. 2015 marked the first time the school had ever hosted an NCAA Tournament game in any sport and only their second NCAA Tournament appearance in program history.
Monmouth (2017)
In just their fourth season as a program, the Monmouth Hawks turned heads across the nation and made history.
Led by Bryce Wasserman, Monmouth went 14-4 overall, 6-0 in the MAAC, won the MAAC Tournament, and earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament, where they faced Bryant in the play-in round.
Quinnipiac (2001)
While the Bobcats made their NCAA Tournament debut in 2016, their best season in program history is arguably the 2001 season, which is back when they were an independent.
The Bobcats went 14-2 during the 2001 season, which is still a program record for wins in a season. Their only two losses came against Stony Brook and Mount St. Mary’s. In addition to the record number of wins, the Bobcats enjoyed a 12-game winning streak to start the season.
Siena (1979)
The Siena Saints have one of the longest lacrosse tradition of any program in the MAAC today. And while they have had some tremendous seasons in just the past few decades, the Saints’s 1979 season, in which Russ Ferris was the head coach, will always stand atop the rest.
During that 1979 season, the Saints churned our their only undefeated season in program history, going 12-0. And in addition, they defeated almost all of their opponents by close to double digits. Ualbany, Clarkson, and RPI are the only teams that gave them much trouble.
St. Bonaventure
The Bonnies just started play in 2019 and they have yet to win a game. They went 0-13 in their inaugural season and were 0-6 at the time that the 2020 season was cancelled. They will certainly enjoy their share of victories as the program continues to develop and mature over the coming years.
