Detroit’s season gets underway this weekend in Columbus against the Buckeyes and one of the keys for success is the play of attackman Shayne Adams. The lefty junior led the Titans with 33 goals and was second with 37 points last year and is a pre-season all MAAC selection this spring. The native of St. Catherines, Ontario also had 29 ground balls. Adams will lead a talented but young group of offensive players into the season - a season that has some lofty goals.
I had a chance to speak with Shayne about the upcoming season and how the Detroit program is viewed:
What are your goals for the season?
As a team goal we want nothing short of a MAAC conference championship. Since day one that has been the goal that has been set in front of us. Especially the seniors – we won’t be satisfied until we come away with a ring at the end of the year - and get to play in a NCAA tournament game. So – as a team, the MAAC Championship.
For personal goals, I want to round out my game better this year. Try to become more of a leader on the offense. Not just with scoring goals but winning the ground ball game to generating opportunities for my teammates to score. Try to improve my assists.
Why do you think that Canadian players have made such an impact at the NCAA collegiate level?
I think a lot of the stuff we play is box lacrosse. We are used to playing in tight spaces – the American players haven’t grown up playing that style. We’re known for our stick skills and the indoor game really helps us when we come over and play at the collegiate level.
Inside lacrosse asked the question, who is the premier Canadian scorer and your name didn’t come up! Will this snub give you some motivation?
Definitely motivation, I mean in the summer I play against all these guys. ( Zach Palmer, Logan Schuss, Cameron Mann…) A lot of them I know personally and I think that playing at that level with the Virginia’s… with all that… that comes with a lot more press and I think as Detroit… our motto is we don’t need the press (the publicity)- we just want to go in there and try to win those games. If not, just run with them. Run with the Ohio States… I mean, Ohio State is our first game and we want nothing more than to win and start our year off right. We held them to 4-3 two years ago and it was a tight game last year as well. As far as the omission, it doesn’t bother me – I think it is extra motivation.
Do you think that you and your teammates don’t get a lot of respect in the lacrosse world?
We have to earn it… if we do end up taking that conference championship; that will open a lot of people’s eyes. I know that we are known as a grittier team, a work hard in your face style. Our defense loves to play body first and I think that’s a good thing for us. I want teams to fear us… to say, “I don’t want to play them… all they do is hurt us. And they never give up.” I think we are starting to get our identity as hard working and I like that.
How far can this team go?
I think we can win this. Last year we were ranked number one in the pre-season and that got to our heads… we thought that teams might lay down for us. But we were picked fourth (this year) and I like sitting there, it makes everyone work harder and gives everyone that push to want to get better. I think if we don’t come out with the MAAC championship this year, it will be a disappointment.
Any words of wisdom for a young player who may want to play at U of D or at that next level?
It starts with the classroom. Get the good grades. Work hard. Very few players go right into college and succeed right away. You just got to stay with it. You see juniors and seniors that never thought they would play are getting starting roles because of their improvement. To give yourself the best chance to succeed – it all starts in the classroom.
Thanks Shayne – good luck this weekend.
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