Wittenberg Men's Lacrosse Head Coach George Harris discusses a game plan with Matt Lord, class of 2011, before a recent practice.
Springfield, Ohio — Wittenberg University men's lacrosse standout Matt Lord, class of 2011 from Pickerington, Ohio, has been to England just once in his life. It was so long ago that he doesn't remember much about the trip.
Lord, whose father was born in England, will get a much better world view this year, and he is certain to remember it vividly. Selected to play for England's U-19 National Team after a tryout in Philadelphia last month, Lord will head to the United Kingdom in May to train with the team. The 2008 U-19 World Games are scheduled for July in Canada.
"I think playing internationally will be an awesome experience," said Lord, who will suit up in a varsity game for Wittenberg for the first time Feb. 27 in a home game against Tri-State University. "I've never done it before. I was kind of on the fence about doing the tryout, but I figured that it's a once in a lifetime experience.
"I'm really looking forward to having a great time and hopefully winning a few games."
Lord, an attacker who was a three-time club division all-state honoree in high school, hasn't decided on a major at Wittenberg, but he said the transition to college life has been smooth. While making the 23-man England U-19 National Team was an unexpected highlight of his freshman year, he is anticipating a breakthrough season for the Tiger men's lacrosse team in 2008.
"It takes a lot of time and energy to play a sport in college, but it's very worth it," Lord said. "One thing that is a lot different from high school is the bond that we have as a team. The upperclassmen have really taken us (the new players) in, and that helps a lot socially.
"I'm really looking forward to this spring to finally get out on the turf and watch all of our hard work pay off."
The Tigers, coming off a 6-6 record in 2007, have a 13-game regular season schedule that runs through April 26 against North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) rival Wooster. Barring a first-ever NCAA Division III Tournament berth, Lord will then take his final exams and head overseas in late May.
"I haven't really made any plans for the games yet," Lord said. "While I'm over there the team goes to Ireland to play (NCAA Division I powerhouse) Princeton in a scrimmage, so that's really exciting.
"I'm sure that my Dad will come with me for a little bit at least because we have a lot of relatives over there."
Wittenberg Head Coach George Harris is among those looking forward to watching Lord's collegiate and international career unfold.
"Congratulations to Matt on becoming a member of England's U-19 National Team," Harris said. "Matt is an exceptional lacrosse student-athlete, and the coaching staff is extremely happy and proud that Matt will be representing Wittenberg University and Wittenberg men's lacrosse in the 2008 U-19 World games this summer."
Written By: Ryan Maurer
Photo By: Robert Gantt
010-08