After saying goodbye to coach Spallone and coach Bracey last year, the AIC men’s lacrosse team now has a coach at the helm: Corey Nehlig.

The American International College men’s lacrosse team ended the 2024 season with a 5-10 overall record. They started the season with two coaches and finished with one. The Yellow Jackets lacrosse team blew away the Division II lacrosse community with their significant improvement through the season. Although the team only won five games last year, that was the most wins
in a season for the Yellow Jackets since the 1990s.

The Yellow Jackets showed substantial progress last year as they competed with the top Division II teams in the country, and they gave each team a run for their money. For example, in one of their last home games, the Yellow Jackets played the number eight team in the country and only lost to them by three goals. The lacrosse team made a name for themselves around campus, showing everyone how hard work pays off. The team was a very young program last year, just graduating three seniors, and two out of the three played. The team looked like the most promising in school history until it spiraled down.

The lacrosse program here at American International has not been the star sport on campus for the entirety of the school’s history. Over ten head coaches have been at the helm of men’s lacrosse in the last eight seasons, which is not the best history for a lacrosse program. This has made it challenging for the coaches to recruit to the school, and there has yet to be a stable winning coach for the program. Coach Spallone was the head coach for the team during the 2022-2024 seasons. He made a big difference because he brought in many skilled players and great game plans. After his sudden departure in the middle of the season, assistant coach Andrew Bracey took over as head coach.

This was hard for the assistant coach at the time, so he asked for the help of the players as it was going to be hard managing forty players by himself. The coach decided to depart after the end of the season, leaving the team with no coach over the summer.

Junior Captain Tyler Goode said, “I appreciate the efforts Coach Bracey put in. However, it was tough for us to hear he would go to a new school just a week before we got there… I had a strong respect for him as a coach. I wish all the best.”

The departure of coach Bracey motivated many players to join the transfer portal and forced them to leave the school. They were unsure if there would be a coach for the season.

Throughout the fall ball season, I had the opportunity to observe several team practices. I witnessed the palpable energy and enthusiasm as the players returned to the field. It was as if they had never left. The camaraderie among the players who remained was unmistakable. Captain Ryan Levis expressed his gratitude for the coaching change, emphasizing the positive impact of their new coach, Corey Nehlig. According to Levis, “Coach Nehlig has brought a sense of calm, care, and control to the team, which has earned the players’ respect in the locker room easily.” The transition period was challenging; it was marked by uncertainty and departures. But the team’s perseverance paid off, and many beloved teammates returned. With Corey Nehlig at the helm, the AIC men’s lacrosse team is poised for great success.

When I interviewed the new coach, I asked him why he chose American International College. This was his response: “First and foremost, I chose AIC because it was the best opportunity for my family and my career. As a competitor, I thrive in high-pressure situations, so as a coach, it’s an exciting opportunity to build up a culture and compete in one of the top conferences in all of Division II lacrosse.”

The Yellow Jackets only have two weeks left of the fall ball season before their scrimmage at the University of New England. They are going to get an early taste of the NE-10 when they scrimmage Southern New Hampshire University. The Yellow Jackets have not beaten the Penmen in over ten consecutive seasons. Last season, the Yellow Jackets had a tight game against the Penmen, only losing 11-8. AIC had the lead during most of the game. The lacrosse team only lost a few games last year, which they should have capitalized on. Sometimes, you could blame the referees or the team’s maturity, as they only had a few players with experience in the NE-10.