In the past three seasons, Stevenson has enjoyed records of 17-2 in 2009, 19-2 in 2010 and 18-3 in 2011.
But with the departure of nine All-Americans and seven starters, the Mustangs have seen their stock drop, which includes falling to seventh in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association preseason poll. That's a shocking ranking for the team, but coach Paul Cantabene took the assessment in stride.
"I don't really think it's insulting. I think it's fair because of what we've lost," he said. "When you lose nine All-Americans and 500 points and the best defenseman in the country, I think it's pretty fair. But I do think that at the same time, our guys have set a standard of play of what's acceptable and what's not acceptable, and I think our guys understand that. We had a great alumni game this past year with all those All-Americans we had a year ago and two years ago, and we beat them, 18-7. So I think our guys know what it takes to win games. But a No. 7 ranking, that's the last thing we look at as a coaching staff. That's just pre-game hype. We've always looked at where do we want to be at the end of the season, and so far, we've come very close of where we want to be. Now we're looking forward to getting just one goal better."
Stevenson can fire back at the critics if a boatload of younger players can fill the voids created by the departures of 19 seniors from last year's roster. Cantabene said the underclassmen are fully aware of the expectations placed upon them.
"When our alumni came back and we had that game, they were very clear to the other guys what's expected out of them and how to continue the legacy they started," Cantabene said. "So I think it's more of an expectation from themselves, pushing themselves to be better players every day and learning how to practice to be a good team, learning how to win because winning's not easy. You can't just show up on Saturdays and Wednesdays and think you're going to win. That's not the way it works. So I think it's an expectation from themselves. And us as a coaching staff, we'll remind them as well, but I don't think it has to come much from us because they're self-motivated players."