Men played Cards right

Author: Peter Baumann

Bouncing back from their first loss of the year against Trinity, the men's lacrosse team completed a 2-0 week with a 11-8 win over league rival Wesleyan. The win leaves the Panthers in sole possession of first place in the conference.

Coming into the game Middlebury stood at 6-1 in the NESCAC, tied with the Cardinals for the conference lead. Even if this alone did not provide the needed motivation, members of last year's team were excited to get another crack at the team that eliminated the Panthers in the quarterfinals of the NCAAs in 2007.

Middlebury broke open a 2-2 tie late in the first quarter when Frank Granara '08 buried a centering pass from Pete Smith '10, and the Panthers never looked back. Over the next two periods they steadily increased their lead, eventually pulling ahead 10-5 with Bart Witmer's '10 goal late in the third period. Wesleyan would record the next three goals, but a late goal by Jim Cabrera '08, his third on the day, provided the final tally.

As has been their custom all year, Middlebury received another balanced offensive effort. Six different Panthers found the net on the afternoon, led by Cabrera's three, and Smith continued his breakout year with three assists.

But the real story, as it has been all year, was the Panther defense. Middlebury continued its stifling ways, limiting a Wesleyan attack that had come in averaging almost 10 goals a game. In particular, James Guay '08 and the rest of his backline limited the conference's leading scorer, Wesleyan attackman Russ Follansbee to only one man-up goal.

With the win, the Panthers now control their own destiny. If they can take care of business against Tufts this weekend, they will guarantee themselves of a first-round bye and home-field throughout the NESCAC tournament.