Photo taken during 2021 season by Nathaly Villalobos

Posted: Jan 26, 2022

Coates, Skyhawks begin season Saturday

WEST POINT, Ga. (Jan. 13, 2022) – Point University men's lacrosse season starts Saturday, and the Skyhawks are set and ready to go under the leadership of first-year head coach Jordan Coates.

Coates, a native of Perry Hall, Maryland, and graduate of Shorter University says he is looking forward to seeing his team's hard work during the offseason pay off.

"I'm excited about the progress we've made in the offseason and so far this preseason," Coates says. "Guys are buying in and working extremely hard."

Point's season begins with a neutral site game in Tallahassee, Florida, against Webber International on Saturday, at 3 p.m. The Skyhawks will then travel to Shorter University on Feb. 2, before opening Appalachian Athletic Conference play at Tennessee Wesleyan University on Feb. 5.

Coates says his team's goal this season is to compete in every aspect of the game.

"Whether it be in practice, conditioning or weights, the guys are wanting to compete, and that competitive spirit is going to be what makes us successful on the field," he says.

This year's team features four returners from last year's squad and 10 newcomers. Of the returners, Coates expects Jassiem Josse to have a solid senior season. Last season, Josse scored the second-most goals on the team (seven) and had a .435 faceoff percentage. Of the newcomers, Coates says he expects junior transfer, Wendell Chesney to make an immediate impact.

"We have a good group of returners that are excited to get back on the field," Coates says. "There are some teams that got the better of us in the past, and our guys are excited to go against them."

Point has a 13-game schedule that features seven conference matchups and six nonconference games. Point will host four games inside River Bowl Stadium, the first against St. Andrews, on Saturday, Feb. 12. The Skyhawks' final game will be against NCAA Division I opponent Kennesaw State on Saturday, April 9.

Fans are allowed to attend all home games this season. Live stats will be available for all games.