ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Connor Fields is the regular season points leader for a Rochester Knighthawks team looking to make a deep National Lacrosse League postseason run. He's also a role model for those who want to play the game of lacrosse professionally or expand the reach of what some in New York call "the creator's game."
"Obviously, [you] play the game because you love playing the game," said Fields between sessions of a clinic for Rochester area youth lacrosse players. "But you want to grow the game you love too, right?"
Fields is a Western New York native and former University at Albany standout. He is also regularly present at community events like helping run a clinic where it all started for him, inside on the turf.
"Playing box lacrosse, you really get a sense of tight spaces," he said.
Accolades are secondary to growing the number of eyes on the sport and the community, according to Fields.
"Across the league, the attendance is doing well. I think on TV there's a lot of viewers too," said Fields. "So, I was going to these games, right? I was watching Buffalo, Rochester and whatnot. Right now, we're going to games there. I just loved being around the game. And I know this generation's going to be better than ours in the next generation. After that, I'm going to be better. That's the goal is to keep growing the game."
As Fields, among other players, helps coach the youth, the focus is also on the playoffs. Rochester started the campaign 4-7 before everything started to click.
"You know, we had a point in the season where the coaches had us down and it was kind of like a wake-up call, right? Like, the film doesn't lie," he said. "We're not hustling on and off the floor. We're not getting through the middle. [We're] just doing the little things that make you successful as a team."
The playoff berth is secured, but the franchise is still looking for its first postseason win.
"This year, I feel like we're on a page where we're kind of in coming in into playoffs and you want to be playing your best lacrosse going in the playoffs," he said. "So, for us to get a win, this fan base deserves it."
Fields said he hopes to continue being an offensive force to make that happen.
"Hopefully once we get that first one, hopefully this year, then we start the year rolling and make a run here," he said.