Tiger of the Week: Ben Sherman
Hometown: Zionsville, Indiana
Year: Senior
Position: Midfielder
Major: Environmental Geoscience
“Ben is the type of person and player every coach wants to have on his team. He is very much like having a coach on the field”- Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach Dan Ambrose.
Last Saturday, Ben Sherman helped men’s lacrosse bounce back by scoring five goals and adding three assists in the Tigers’ 22-3 blowout of Kalamazoo College for the team’s first win of the season.
The DePauw: After your loss against Rhodes College to open the season, what did the team focus on this past week heading into Saturday’s game against Kalamazoo?
Ben Sherman: As a team, we focused more on competing rather than simply playing. With that, we want to have a “hate to lose” mentality and not a “love to win.” In the end, competitors hate to lose and that is driving our team and culture. Kalamazoo isn’t as tough of a matchup as Rhodes, but the approach week in and week out must be the same.TDP: What’s the thing you are most excited about this season?
BS: I’m excited to see the team grow as well as see some younger guys on the team step up as the season progresses- excited for everyone’s growth individually and growth as a team as we really get into the grind of the season.
TDP: Last year, men’s lacrosse had its first winning season. As a senior, what have you noticed about how the lacrosse program has grown over the years?
BS: I think the standard at which everyone is held is being raised. With that being said, the expectations for everyone are much higher and starting positions are very competitive. It’s almost unexplainable how different the program is now from what it was when I was a freshman. I don’t even know where to begin. Coach Ambrose is a huge factor in the growth of the team.
TDP: You guys now have five games on the road. What’s been the key to playing well away from home during a stretch like this?
BS: The key will be focusing on making the away games a business trip and another opportunity to improve and win. It’s about supporting each other and sticking to our team principles.
TDP: Entering your final season, what’s driven you these past years to play lacrosse at the collegiate level?
BS: I honestly love to score ginos and grab some apples. I love the feeling of getting others involved and leading a great group of guys. Lacrosse provides me with fantastic friends, responsibilities, and a competitive edge that I know will pay dividends in the future. It’s so satisfying to be challenged and prove to yourself what kind of player you are. I play for not only myself, but my family, friends, teammates, coaches and everyone that knows me. I care a lot about the sport and can never seem to get enough of it.