The St. Edward’s University men’s lacrosse team is currently in its off-season, but has been using its time to rebuild the team and increase its fan base.

“We spent the semester recruiting new players and building a new, more successful program based on hard work, fundamentals and team chemistry,” senior Jake Hunter said.

Joining the team this year is Coach Scott Aubin. Aubin is currently the Director of Sports Programs for CATZ Austin, a sports performance center. From 1998 to 2006 he was the head lacrosse coach for McCallum High School in Austin, leading the team to three consecutive undefeated seasons in 2001, 2002 and 2003. He also won the 2006 U.S. Lacrosse Texas High School Coach of the year.

“Scott Aubin is one of the greatest assets the team has this year,” junior Vinny Caruso said. “He brings a lot of experience and legitimacy of the game of lacrosse to St. Edward’s.”

As for recruiting, Aubin says there have been a good number of students coming out, but there are still spots left on the team.

In September, the team began fall ball, playing scrimmages and tournaments as a way to prepare for the spring season. So far, the team has only played the University of Texas at San Antonio and lost.

“It was a team learning experience, as it was our first game together,” Caruso said.

This past weekend the lacrosse team held an alumni game and played against former St. Edward’s lacrosse players. The current players beat the alumni 12-5.

The team is preparing for a tournament at Texas A&M University on Nov. 13 and a scrimmage against Rice University in Houston on Nov. 20.

The team’s 12-game regular season begins Jan. 29 with a home game against Trinity University. Five of the games will be at home, including one against Texas A&M University, a Division I team in the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association. St. Edward’s is in Lonestar Alliance Division II.

The club team will also face NCAA Varsity Division III Southwestern.

“Being able to match up against Southwestern is a great opportunity for us to show that we can hand with varsity lacrosse programs,” Hunter said.

Teams in the same division as St. Edward’s include Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston University and Austin College.

Last season, St. Edward’s finished with a 2-3 record and placed fourth in the LSA D-II. In a preseason poll, St. Edward’s was picked as number 4 again, according to the MCLA website.

The team is also trying to encourage students to come support the team at home games.

“Lacrosse is the oldest and fastest growing sport in America,” Hunter said. “Each game is filled with hard hits, lots of scoring, and lots of excitement. We hope to see the student body join us at games in the spring and be the loudest they have ever been.”

Hunter said fans can also join in tailgating festivities before and after games. Students can bring food and drinks and have a good time, he said.