Players play, and teams win.

That's the motto the Auburn boys lacrosse team lives by, and it's working.

So far this season the Maroons are 6-1 in the CNYCL American League and 10-2 overall.

It's a record that may not have been expected, especially after some early setbacks the Maroons had to face.

“You never know what type of adversity you'll face,” Maroons head coach Steve Crosby said.

During a preseason scrimmage at West Point this season, the Maroons lost a valuable player to the team due to a season-ending injury.

Senior Kevin Festa had torn his ACL in the beginning of last year, but this season, he tore the ACL in the opposite knee ending his senior campaign before it even got started.

Festa was expected to lead the team in scoring this season.

“It was a great loss,” Crosby said.

“We were excited about Kevin being able to contribute on the field with us and it was really tough to see that happen to him. He is an outstanding young man and athlete.”

But true to the team's character, the Maroons didn't let Festa's injury get them down.

Crosby said that the rest of the team has been rallying around Festa, giving him a lot of support.

The support has gone both ways, though, as Festa tries to make it to every game to support his team and his younger brother who also plays for the Maroons, Matt Festa.

“Kevin is an integral part of the team even though he can't be on the field,” Crosby said.

That kind of team spirit is central to the success of the Maroons this season, with their concentrations on the team rather than the individual player.

“It is crucial that everyone plays their role,” Crosby said.

“Team success has to be put ahead of personal success and the fact that we have been doing that this season is the primary reason for our success.”

Those accomplishments have been many and huge this season, as the Maroons are ranked No. 21 in the state and last week, they defeated West Genesee for the first time in the program's history.

Crosby credits not only the players of this team, but also the other coaching staff of three other coaches - Mike Losani, John Montone and Matt Smith - that Crosby says are an honor to have with the team.

“They are three brilliant lacrosse minds we have working with us this season,” Crosby said.

“They're outstanding lacrosse coaches and we are all very fortunate to have their assistance.”

With the coaches and the players all fitting together so well, the Maroons are working the field with no one standout player to take spotlight.

“Everyone is playing their role and there are many roles on the team,” Crosby said.

“In order for success, you have to work together and prepare for everyone you face. You can not focus on one guy you need to have balance and depth, two things we are fortunate to have. All the members of the team contribute on a daily basis to make the team what it is.”

The roles that each player has to play will only get tougher as the season gets closer to the postseason.

After their win against the Wildcats, the Maroons are ready to continue their domination, but know that everyone is hungry this late in the season.

“The guys really understand the roles they need to play and they do it with a smile on their face,” Crosby said.

“It will be a wild finish over these last two weeks. Anybody who wants to win the tournament this season really needs to do their homework. Anybody could win at this point. We know if we continue to come together as a team we have the potential to do good things. We need to continue and maintain our focus, not get caught looking ahead.”

The Maroons head to Nottingham on Monday.