Stevenson's season-opening 17-10 loss to No. 2 Rochester Institute of Technology is almost a month old, but the No. 3 Mustangs (3-1) could really distance themselves from that defeat with a strong outing against top-ranked and 2014 NCAA Division III champion Tufts on Tuesday night.
But coach Paul Cantabene wasn't ready to declare that Stevenson (3-1) could send a message with a victory in the 7 p.m. game at Mustang Stadium.
"I don't know about making a statement, but we certainly want to play well," he said Monday. "I think we're doing better things, and they present unique challenges. So we're definitely going to have to bring our A game, and I think we will. I think we're definitely playing much better, and we're looking forward to the challenge."
Cantabene did agree that a top-three matchup involving the No. 1 team in the country does raise the level of enthusiasm surrounding the game.
"I think there's always a certain level of excitement when you play the No. 1 team in the country," he said. "We've been there before, and we know how other teams played us when we were ranked No. 1. So I do think there is a big excitement. But anytime us and Tufts get together, we're excited about the game in general because we know it's going to be a fun game, fast-paced with two teams getting up and down, and it should be a lot of fun. With them coming to town, we're just looking forward to a great style of lacrosse, and it should be a great showcase for Division III lacrosse."
The Mustangs might have a slight advantage as they have not played since an 11-8 win at Roanoke on March 7 and have been able to rest and study the Jumbos, who edged Colby, 11-9, on Saturday. But Cantabene didn't buy the theory.
"I don't think there's any advantage either way," he said. "You've got to play the game. Both teams will be ready. They're traveling and everything like that, so I think that helps us a little bit, and it also helps that we're playing on our own field because we play so well at home. But I don't think the time off helps us and I don't think them playing on Saturday helps them."