Even #1 Men's Lax Must Prove NESCAC Mettle

Author: Nick Ferrer

With the NESCAC tournament fast approaching and its number one ranking riding on the line, the men's lacrosse team finished its regular season by posting impressive victories over Williams and Bates. With the wins, Middlebury not only secured the top-seed for this weekend's NESCAC tournament, but also earned the right to play host to the three other conference invitees.

On Wednesday, Middlebury took to its home field against perennial foe Williams. Entering the game in the midst of a somewhat disappointing season, the Ephs fumed with anticipation in the hopes that they might avenge their dismal record with a win over the league's reigning hegemon. The Panthers, meanwhile, had other plans.

Behind two goals from both Matt Dunn '02 and Zach Herbert '02, the Panthers took a swift 4-0 lead within the first six minutes of play. After exchanging goals twice, the Panthers finished the first quarter with a 6-3 lead. In the second quarter, sophomore attackman Mike Saraceni provided the Panthers with two of three quick unanswered goals that would eventually afford Middlebury a comfortable 11-5 lead.

In the second half, the Ephs' struggles continued as they failed to find a way to stop Middlebury's offensive charge. Convinced that covering midfielder Dunn with a longstick would be the answer to their problems, Dunn responded with a season-high six assists. Captain Dave Seeley '02, meanwhile, exploded for three consecutive goals to give Middlebury a commanding14-5 lead. Minutes later, the quarter ended with the Panthers ahead 17-7.

The 10-goal gap that confronted the Ephs proved insurmountable in the final quarter. Although Williams managed to score three times, the daunting Panther defense would allow them no more. Five saves would be all that was required of Middlebury goalies Eric Krieger '04 and Matt Levy '05.

Panther superfan and lacrosse analyst Kyle Silk '03 had plenty to say about the game. "Williams had a decent squad. But when [Brian] McGregor ['03] wins his face-offs, Herbert nets five, Dunn dishes out six and Seeley comes up with another six points, you're just fried. If the Panthers keep playing like this, they'll make me proud."

Three days later, Middlebury found itself in Lewiston, Maine, where it faced-off against the Bates College Bobcats. With home field advantage and the top seed in the NESCAC tourney practically locked up, the Panthers were undoubtedly caught off-guard as a traditionally mediocre Bates team nearly took over. After the Bobcats took an early 1-0 lead, Herbert tied the game one minute later and teammates Dunn and Greg Carroll '02 followed to put the Panthers ahead 3-1. While it appeared that the Panthers had taken control, the Bobcats tallied again with just 63 seconds left in the first quarter. A 3-2 first quarter lead over Bates was certainly not the sort of lead the Panthers had expected.

Clearly, expectations meant very little. While the Bobcats held the Panthers scoreless for the first half of the second quarter, their offense continued to push Middlebury's defense. Eventually, the push succeeded, and Bates tied the game at 3-3, marking only the third time this season the Panthers have been tied after the first quarter. Fortunately for the Panthers, something clicked as the offense awoke to score four quick, unanswered goals. While Bates would score once more at the end of the quarter to bring the score to 7-4, they would get no closer.

In the second half, Middlebury erupted for 11 goals while a strong defensive showing held the Bobcats to just two goals in each of the final two quarters. Dunn, Carroll and Saraceni led all scorers with three a piece in the Panther's eventual 18-8 win.

Having earned the top seed in the NESCAC tournament, Middlebury received a first-round bye last weekend. Now, the Panthers look ahead to Saturday's semifinal matchup against Amherst. Last year, the Panthers captured the inaugural NESCAC championship. And, like last year, the team recognizes that winning the NESCAC championship is the only way into the NCAA tournament. No at-large bids will be available. Not even for the 12-1 national defending champion Panthers.

While the winner will move on to the national scene, the runner-up will be left to contemplate what might have been. In a tournament that will showcase some of the nation's best talent, including number two seeded Bowdoin that handed Middlebury its only loss of the season, the hosting Panthers are sure to come prepared.

Post-season action begins at noon Saturday on the stadium field, with the finals to be played at noon on Sunday.