For JCC's McAuliffe, home is where the heart is

Sean McAuliffe didn't know it three years ago, but everything he wanted in a college experience was right down the street. He now drives himself back and forth to classes and practices, interacts daily with his best friends, and plays a major role for a college lacrosse team.

The 2006 Watertown High School graduate has never been a happier player, and the Jefferson Community College Cannoneers have never enjoyed a better start.

"Really after high school I just wanted to get away from home," McAuliffe said Monday. "JCC was just JCC. Now things are a lot better. I can live at home, have my own car, and I have more friends here. Just a lot of advantages I didn't have away."

Coach Mark Streiff recruited, unsuccessfully, the Cannoneers' current leading scorer when he was a high school senior. The former Cyclones star had loftier goals, however, and he enrolled at Onondaga Community College in Syracuse, a school well-known for its powerful lacrosse program.

Academic issues forced McAuliffe to redshirt his freshCman year at OCC, but it ended memorably as the Lazers won the NJCAA national title. The experience was also eye-opening. Not fully agreeing with the coaching staff on what his role would be was just one of the reasons McAuliffe was unhappy, so he collected his championship ring and returned to Watertown.

One of his first stops was Streiff's office. It wasn't the first time a former recruit approached the coach, now in his 10th year at JCC, to inquire about a second chance to wear a Cannoneer jersey.

"Local kids are always welcome to come back," Streiff said. "We want to keep them here. I'm usually glad they still want to play."

That accepting atmosphere is a big reason the Cannoneers, 8-0, are off the best start in the program's history. Players like Jake LaFex, and Pete Pike, a former Rutgers University signee, and McAuliffe all chose far-away schools before this spring helping Jefferson become a Region 3 contender.

And McAulliffe's numbers have soared. Last year he tallied 67 goals and 28 assists to finish second nationally in scoring. He's the Cannoneers' top scorer this spring, too, with 39 goals and 19 assists.

"It's been nice to have some guys who can put the ball in the net," Streiff said.

Roster numbers have improved, too, allowing players necessary breaks to remain fresh on the field.

"Last year our middies were always spent, and you could tell a lot how tired we were on the field," McAuliffe said. "We have about three different lines now."

The standout attacker said he's interested in playing for a Division III team in the state, but has no concrete plans yet to transfer. The Cannoneers have six regular games to go as they aim for a postseason bid, so he's focussing on that for now.

He said he holds no regrets about going to OCC, or returning to JCC.

"I have a (championship) ring, and that was a great experience," McAuliffe said. "It showed the caliber you need to play to achieve something.

"But things are awesome right now, too. To be setting school records has been great to be a part of. It's going to show a lot of kids around here that JCC might not be a joke for lacrosse."