Diverse, talented players achieving success in UMO men's lacrosse program

By Justin Hayes
Published in Sports on February 19, 2016 1:48 PM

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MOUNT OLIVE -- The official roster reads like an erratic climate chart.

Brooklin, Ontario.

Winter Park, Florida.

La Mirada, California.

Apex, North Carolina.

Latitudes and longitudes, countries and continents.

And as far as new-age recruiting trends are concerned, it's one that fourth-year University of Mount Olive men's lacrosse coach Mike Murphy -- himself a regional transplant -- hopes will continue.

In fact, the success of his program is predicated on it.

"We're diverse," Murphy explains, "anywhere lacrosse is played, we have guys coming in from those areas. Your eyes are open to different things."

Following the university's full embrace of the sport in 2012, Murphy -- a Maryland native and former standout at Catawba College in Salisbury -- settled about the task of piecing together a culture founded in the spirit of "team over self."

That meant hours and days and months and summer vacations recruiting and scouting developmental programs and leagues across the globe. His hopes were to find prospects who could -- and would be willing to -- represent the foundation of a winning program.

And the results developed quickly.

UMO reached the Conference Carolinas championship game in 2014 and 2015. In the process, the program produced it's first-ever All-American -- goalkeeper Ross Bowman.

On the heels of that campaign, Murphy was recognized by his peers as a finalist for the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) National Coach-of-the-Year award -- one of only four skippers considered for the honor.

Murphy, however, is quick to tell you that it's about the players -- their intense work ethic and first in, last out mentality -- not him.

"It's a small fraternity," he says, "yesterday, we were out about 8:30, with squeegees and brooms trying to get the field ready -- and the first guys out there were our captains."

Murphy referred to Bowman and Matt Shields.

Both players have garnered all-conference status each of the past two seasons. They've set the tone on a daily basis for a grind-it-out culture for a program that has maintained at least a .500 record since its inception.

Shields, a senior attack from Mercer Island, Washington, has recorded a school-record 127 career goals. He is a leading candidate for All-America honors this season.

Bowman, the program's sole keeper since 2012, is a mirror image of his head coach -- organized, savvy and bent on winning.

The Trojans -- ranked 11th in the most recent Nike/Lacrosse Magazine Division II men's poll -- will utilize all of those attributes this Saturday. UMO plays host to Murphy's alma mater at Amon Field.

Face-off is 1 p.m.