LA CROSSE, Wis. – Last year’s trip to nationals was an eye-opening experience for Bridgewater State.

The whole trip to SoCal was a revelation, but getting a taste of what MCLA Division II lacrosse is like outside of the Mass-Conn-Rhodey tri-state area was probably the most important development. With the Bears longest regular season trip being to either Westfield or Bridgeport, they pretty much assured themselves a date with St. Thomas.

Too their credit, Bridgewater has opted to take a slightly more difficult – and more geographically diverse – road to SoCal this year. And it starts this weekend when the Bears travel just outside Harrisburg, Pa., to square up with No. 5 Dayton and No. 9 Grove City.

For Pat Welsh, the Bears’ coach, this trip is a return to traditional Bridgewater values.

“Playing two nationally ranked teams is new for the current iteration of the Bridgewater program, but 15 to 20 years ago, BSU lacrosse regularly made similar types of trips through the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic,” Welsh said. “The alumni from those teams have been vital in the health and maintenance of our program. This trip marks a return to those days.”

Similar to their matchup with St. Thomas last spring, the Bears will be heavy underdogs against the Flyers and Wolverines. And that’s just fine.

“While we hope and expect to come home with two wins this weekend, our team goals remain the same,” Welsh said. “They are to leave everything we have on the field on a given day and to use each game and practice to build toward playing for an MCLA national championship."

The Bears are in a bit of a pinch. They’ve lost the likes of leading scorer Andrew DaSilva and standout FOGO Steve Hogan, which leaves them considerably weaker at both spots. In addition, they’ve got two or three teams eyeballing the Bears’ PCLL automatic berth.

Bridgewater does bring back PCLL Defensive Player of the Year Joe Marmion in goal, along with an even blend of veterans, transfers and newcomers. Regardless of the starting lineup, the Bears have no intention of rescinding their dominance of their conference.

That’s why they’ll be in Central Pennslyvania this weekend.

Welsh will be letting his kids know that before they run out to play Dayton on Friday.

“My pregame speech will most likely focus us playing good solid fundamental lacrosse, maintaining possession and doing the little things,” Welsh said. “Those are season-long goals for our team. We believe that if we take care of those things, we can play with anybody in the country. This weekend is the beginning of a new chapter and season for BSU lacrosse while building on last year’s success and showing everyone that we are here to stay.”