With the melting of snow and the growing of flow, only one thing is for sure: it’s lacrosse season. Coming off a heartbreaking 11-6 loss to Tufts University in the NESCAC Championship game a season ago, the Cardinals, who finished 13-5 overall with a 6-4 NESCAC record, look to the 2014 season with high expectations.

“Our expectations for the season are to win the Little Three, the NESCAC title, and the National Championship,” said Co-Captain Sam Stanton ’14. “Although these may seem like lofty expectations, we believe we are very capable of making a run come late April into May with the players we have in our locker room.”

Under the reign of Head Coach John Raba, who enters his 18th season at the helm, the Cardinals look to win their first NESCAC tournament since 2009 and make it to the DIII Championship weekend at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Md. The Cardinals start their 2014 campaign as the 12th-ranked Division III program in the country, according to Inside Lacrosse, and with a majority of their 2013 roster returning for the 2014 campaign, the Cards expect to steadily climb up the rankings with each win.

“Our team looks very promising this year because of the abundance of returning offensive players, as well as the quality of our defense,” Stanton said. “Year after year, the strength of our team is our defense because of the scheme we run, and it is safe to say our defense is what has kept us in most games throughout my career here.”

In addition to the strong defense that only gave up 246 shots on goal last season, the Cardinals have a strong offense with the return of leading goal scorer Graham Macnab ’14 and points leader David Murphy ’15.

“This year, we are returning a lot of top offensive players with a lot of experience, particularly guys like Co-Captain Aidan Daniell ’14, Macnab, Mike Giambanco ’14, Quentin DellaFera ’15, and Murphy,” Stanton explained. “Our offense has gotten even better than where it was last season, and they are definitely ready to become an elite offense.”

Despite losing in the NESCAC championship a year ago, the team has used that setback as incentive in its offseason workouts and in preparation for the upcoming season.

“We let that loss in the NESCAC Championship motivate us this off-season to work harder than ever before to make sure we do not have to feel the disappointment of falling short again this season,” said Co-Captain Elliot Albert ’14.

The team will get a chance to see if the motivation and hard work pay off in its season opener this Saturday. March 1 at Hamilton. The Cardinals were undefeated at home in 2013, and they look to extend their winning streak when Bates comes to Jackson Field on Saturday, March 8. Although all games against NESCAC opponents are big, the 2013 NESCAC title rematch is at Tufts on April 19th.

“The NESCAC has immense depth from the top of the league to bottom, and any team has the capability to win,” Daniell explained. “However, Tufts will be our toughest competition this year; they have a very deep team and, like us, will return many of their starters for the 2014 season.”

In addition to beating Tufts, winning the NESCAC tournament, and going on to the National tournament, the Cardinals look to three-peat in winning the Little Three.

“Every year we look to win three championships, starting with the Little Three,” Daniell said. “Winning the Little Three for the third time in a row would be amazing.”

With the talent that returns, the 2014 season looks like it could be the year in which the team posts its best record ever and wins a national title.

“I think for this team it really comes down to continuing to put in the hard work and dedication, and after that, it is a matter of believing in each other and the system our coaches have put in place,” Albert said. “If we make it back to the NCAA tournament, that means we have taken care of business in the NESCACs, so that would be extremely special.”