May 17th, 2010 | Written by: Kevin Bissmeyer | Posted in Articles |

The Cincinnati Bearcats had an excellent 09/10 campaign making it to the NCLL final four for just the second time in the schools history, but also the second time in the last three years. The recent success of the Bearcats program can be traced to many contributing factors such as increased team organization, good coaching, more commitment, and higher levels of incoming talent then in years past, however one of the other crucially important reasons for the growth and improvement of the team has been the outstanding contributions from the Bearcats seniors who have been a part of the early years of mediocrity at UC and have been instrumental in the emergence of the program in the last three years.
This years senior class was the last link to the Schools first head coach Dave Reed, and have been a part of the changing atmosphere at Cincinnati that has included two coaching changes, an increased practice schedule and the first lacrosse games played at Nippert Stadium. The expansion of the sport has a lot to do with the success of the team, and this success is thanks in large part to the seniors who have helped lead the way through the transition.
This years graduating seniors are one of the most accomplished groups to come through the school; consisting of the schools all time scoring leader, as well as the all time winningest goalie and one of the longest tenured defensive starters to play at UC. Here is a look back at the individual accomplishments of seniors Bobby Nagle, Kyle O’Neal, and Paul Mckay.
Bobby Nagle has been a staple on the UC attack since his first game as a freshman. A four year starter, Nagle has also been a team captain in both his junior and senior seasons as well as a member of the team leadership council. In addition to his accomplishments as a team leader he has been one of the teams most important players winning the UC offensive player of the year award in both his junior and senior years on his way to setting the schools all time scoring record. Since team statistics began being kept in the 07-08 season, Nagle has racked up an impressive 63 goals averaging out to 21 goals a season.
Senior goalie Kyle O’Neal may have had to wait to get his starting job, but once it was his he made a name for himself as one of the best goalies in all of club lacrosse. O’Neal, a two time team MVP is a three year starter for UC and has been a three year captain with the team as well as a member of the leadership council. Kyle will leave UC with an all time winning percentage of 81% and in his three years as a starter has led the Bearcats to a 44-10 record while allowing an average of only 4.6 goals per game. O’Neals presence between the pipes will be missed next year as the Bearcats will have to find a new starter in the net.
Senior Paul Mckay is only the second defensive player at UC to start all four years of their career. Since settling into his role on the team as a freshman, Mckay has been one of the most improved players on the team as he was able to get better every season with the team. Mckay, like the other seniors has been instrumental in helping the team on the field, but he has also extended his influence off the field. Paul was a two year captain with the team, a founder of the leadership council, and the team president in his junior year. Mckays presence on defense, his motivational speeches, and his leadership and organization efforts off the field have all been a major part of the programs improvement, and his effort will be recognizably missed in the years to come.
With these three seniors moving on to the next stage of their lives and leaving the program behind the Bearcats will have to find ways to fill the large shoes left by these players. Cincinnati is full of both youth and talent and this summer will be an important one as Cincinnati will try to fill in the holes left by the departures of these players. On behalf of all the Cincinnati Bearcats Lacrosse Community I would like to thank the seniors for all their contributions to the program over the years and wish them the best in whatever awaits them in their post lacrosse careers.