Burke Connection

Matt Curran was an assistant coach for the Robinson boys’ lacrosse program when the Rams won the state championship in 2006. Robinson returned a large portion of its team the following season, leaving Curran and the rest of the coaching staff to manage the egos of a team full of championship-expectant teenagers.

Despite the potential for overconfidence, Robinson would repeat as state champion in 2007.

Seven years later, Curran, having taken over as Robinson head coach, guided the Rams to the 2014 6A state championship. Many talented athletes returned from that title-winning group, leading to lofty expectations for this year’s squad.

“We have so many guys back from that team, that the expectations are high again,” Curran said. “... In 2006 and 2007, when I was an assistant on the team, we won it two years in a row and we had 19 seniors on the 2007 team. The expectation was that we were going to win it. We did, but it was definitely a [challenge] trying to keep them confident but not cocky.

“The good thing is I’ve been in that situation before and it feels very similar [to this season].”

Keeping the Rams’ egos in check could prove challenging, even for an experienced coach like Curran.

ON MARCH 21, Robinson scored seven of the game’s eight second-half goals en route to an 11-4 victory over Dominion at Langley High School.

The win improved the Rams’ record to 3-0, including victories over Lake Braddock and C.M. Wright.

“We just have all the confidence in the world right now,” Robinson senior attackman Chris White said. “We don’t think any team can beat us and until they do, we’re on top.”

How do the Rams deal with carrying a championship target on their backs?

“We just keep in mind that we’re the top team,” White said, “and no one can beat us if we play as good as we can.”

Sound confident? Cocky?

“We’re definitely confident, but we talk almost daily about not getting cocky,” said Robinson senior attackman Chapman Jasien, a four-year starter. “That’s a hard thing to do after you win a title. We’re trying our best to stay modest and keep grinding every week to make sure we get better and better.”

After starting 1-3 last season, Robinson won its final 17 games, including victories in the Conference 5, 6A North region and 6A state championship games. Counting the three wins in 2015, the Rams have won 20 straight games.

“We ran into that last year before we even won anything,” Curran said about potential over-confidence issues. “These guys knew that they were going to be good, so they got really cocky early. This year, it’s the same kind of thing. I’ve got to tell them: ‘Guys, you’re not a good team yet. You will be later on, but right now you’re not.’ They’re probably like, ‘You’re full of it,’ but it’s true --- they’re not yet. They certainly have the capability, [though]. We have the talent.”

The Rams definitely have the talent. White scored a team-high four goals during Robinson’s victory over Dominion and leads the team with 11 goals through three games.

“Honestly, I think he’s the best finisher in the area,” Curran said about the 5-foot-9, 160-pound attackman. “He’s a three-year starter. He’s a scrappy little guy. We don’t ask for him to carry too much and drive against his man, but he’ll finish and he just gets it done. He’s one of those guys that ends up at the end of the day with three, four goals on the scoreboard every time.”

Jasien totaled three assists against Dominion and leads the team with five.

Senior long-stick midfielder Jack Rowlett, who will play for the University of North Carolina, is tied for second on the team with five goals.

“In my opinion,” Curran said, “Jack is probably the best player in the area, overall.”

Junior midfielder Austin Henry, junior attackman Johnny Daniel and senior attackman Thomas Gallogly each scored two goals against Dominion. Senior midfielder Alex Sands added one.

Henry and Daniel each have five goals this season, Gallogly has four and Jasien has three.

Sophomore goalkeeper Matthew Bethard totaled eight saves against Dominion. Junior keeper Ryan Keith leads the team with 13 saves. Curran said he is trying to determine which goalie will start long-term.

Senior defenseman Jude Bukholz is a four-year starter for the Rams.

NEXT UP FOR ROBINSON is a home game against fellow state-power Chantilly at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 26. The Chargers have reached the state final in five of the last seven seasons, winning championships in 2008 and 2013.

“Robinson, we have a lot of respect for them,” Chantilly defenseman and Ohio State commit Brendan Wallace said after the Chargers beat Herndon 10-1 on Monday, improving their record to 2-0. “They’re a good team --- they’re one of the best teams in the area--- but we think we have a pretty good club too.”

Whether it’s managing player egos or dealing with each opponent trying to knock off the defending state champion, Robinson will face challenges throughout the 2015 season.

But challenges won’t stop the Rams from aiming high.

“We’re trying to improve as a team [and] individually,” Jasien said, “but we want the title again. That’s what we’re working for.”