The Triangle

Issue date: 5/30/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Karl Kuchs Bruce Bickford received the CAA Player of the Year award after he led the men's lacrosse team to a 13-4 record. Recently, Bickford capped his fantastic career by being named an All-American.

Over the past few years, the name Bruce Bickford has become well known throughout campus. Not only has Drexel become familiar with this name, but so have players, coaches and fans all over the CAA and at many other elite lacrosse schools across the nation. Recently, Bickford has even gotten notice from scouts from Major League Lacrosse.

Bickford has gotten the attention of so many people thanks to his stellar play in the cage. The senior goaltender began his playing career way back in the sixth grade in Providence, R.I. From the beginning, he has always played goalie. All his experience in net has paid off greatly over his career.

At Moses Brown High School, Bickford etched his name as one of the top players in both Rhode Island and in the nation. The two-year captain helped lead his team to two conference championships. His extraordinary play also earned him three team MVP awards and the honor of being called a two time All-American. In the first year of his Drexel career, Bickford did not get as much playing time as he would have liked. In the six games he appeared in, however, he took advantage of his opportunities. He had a season high 11 saves twice; once against Delaware and again in a big OT win against Yale.

As a sophomore, Bickford became a full time starter in net for the Dragons. Immediately, he proved that he belonged in the starting lineup. In the season opener against Virginia, Bickford recorded 22 saves. He would go on to have 10 or more saves in nine games that year. His .574 save percentage ranked 15th in the country, and his 8.96 goals-against average was 21st. Before his junior season began, Bickford was put on the Tewaaraton Trophy men's watch list. This was a big honor because the Tewaaraton Award is the equivalent to the Heisman Trophy in football.

After the great sophomore campaign, Bickford followed it up with an even better junior season. It all began against Virginia once again, only this time, the Cavaliers were ranked No. 1 in the nation. Bickford made 18 big saves to lead the Dragons to an 11-10 upset. Over the course of the season, he would make 10 or more saves in 10 games, including six of the team's final seven games. Making all these saves gave him a .590 save percentage that led the CAA and ranked him ninth nationally. He also was eighth in the country with a 7.33 goals-against average, earning a spot on the All-CAA first team.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools