Senior long-stick midfielder Kevin Murphy of Palatine, Ill., is among those utilizing the extra season. After graduating with an Economics degree in the spring, he is now enrolled in Salisbury’s MBA program.
“I never thought I was going to be able to play competitive lacrosse again, so when the opportunity became available, it was pretty exciting,” Murphy said. “For me, it was a pretty easy decision to come back.”
The Sea Gulls began fall practices in early October and will conclude their on-field workouts this week. A couple of disruptions due to COVID infections and required quarantines have extended the fall schedule, but the practices have been a welcome part of the offseason routine.
“It felt really good to be back on the field as a team,” Murphy said.
On one hand, the return to the field has helped players have a sense of normality. But there are also adjustments that have been needed to cope with the risk of the pandemic. Daily temperature checks are required, masks are worn under helmets and the locker room is out of commission. The school has also committed to weekly COVID testing for all athletes and coaches.
Aside from competitive practices, exercising caution has become part of the game plan for the Sea Gulls. There are no complaints among the players about the safety protocols.
“We all know that there’s more at risk and more for us to lose,” Moroney said. “We don’t want to put ourselves in position to be exposed, so the social scene is not the place for us right now. There’s bigger things in life.”
The ultimate goal for the Sea Gulls is the same as in almost every other year — to be playing on Memorial Day weekend. They begin that pursuit, for the first time ever, with a roster that features two senior classes.
“That’s kind of a special situation, but we’re all motivated by the chase for another championship,” Murphy said. “Having so many guys take the extra year made it even easier to return.”
The key question, of course, is whether spring athletes will actually see the field in 2021. With COVID-19 infection rates surging in many parts of the country, there could still be some question about the viability of the new season.
Salisbury’s traditional 17-game spring schedule is set, with a mix of conference and non-conference games, but Berkman notes that backup scenarios are also being discussed. He says that coaches in the Capital Athletic Conference have proposed an alternate plan in case a full schedule can’t be played.
“If we get the vaccine, we’re going to be playing lacrosse,” he said. “And if we don’t have a vaccine this spring, we’re probably going to have some type of modified season. I know there are a lot of schools that will play lacrosse if it’s at all possible.”