Men's lacrosse dispatches Jeffs in playoff opener Eight different Panthers score as team prepares for faceoff with Wesleyan

Author: Jeb Burchenal

The Middlebury men's lacrosse team clinched the top seed in the NESCAC tournament two weekends ago, but they still had their work cut out for them this past weekend. The Panthers, ranked third nationally, were still searching for their first truly dominant 60-minute performance of the year to make a statement to the Division III lacrosse world.

On Fri., April 24, the Panthers hosted Williams for the first time since the Ephs unceremoniously dethroned Middlebury at home in last year's NESCAC tournament. As Williams' diminutive goalie Michael Gerbush started to rack up impressive saves in the first half, the crowd started to get antsy.

Maeve McGilloway '10, a Middlebury fan hailing from the same high school as Gerbush, was quick to point out that "what he lacks in size, he has always made up for in effort." Trailing 6-2 at halftime, the Panthers knew they could not afford to come out flat in the second half or the Ephs could run away with it.

The message did not sink in until the deficit had grown to 8-2 early in the second quarter, but it could not have come at a more perfect moment. Tom Petty '09 started the run with goals on back-to-back drives. It was a clear signal that the other Panther offensive players, while led by Mike Stone '09, felt a sense of accountability for the poor start. Stone, Matt Ferrer '09 and Pete Smith '10 each added two goals apiece during the fourth quarter to bring the game to a 10-10 tie.

After allowing Williams to climb back on top, Matt Rayner '12, a starting close defender, took the ball coast-to-coast to tie the game and really get the crowd going for the tight finish. Skyler Hopkins '09 and Petty each scored once more to create the 13-11 lead and allow the Panthers to drain the last four minutes of clock.

It was the type of rush that needed to be extended into their NESCAC quarterfinal match with Amherst on Sunday. While rowdy, unknowledgeable Amherst parents, questionable officiating and overcast weather threatened to ruin the affair, the Panthers finally put together what Charlie Schopp '10 called their "first complete, four-quarter game of the year."

The offensive core of Stone, Smith, Petty, Ferrer, Hopkins and Chris Teves '10 proved too powerful for the Amherst defense, even while their goalie and captain, senior Matt Pietroforte, managed to keep 42 of the 58 Middlebury shots out of the cage. Accounting for goals from Dave Hild '11 and faceoff specialist Dave Campbell '09, Amherst wound up on the wrong side of a performance that has been a season in the making.

"Sunday's game was a great example of Middlebury lacrosse," said Schopp. "We came out strong, did not let up, and took it to Amherst for four quarters. It was great to see all of the seniors and younger guys get in."

The defense played an outstanding game as well. Led by Schopp and Mike Quinn '09, the defense showed a physical side that has been dormant, epitomized by slides that came quick and with the body. Pete Britt '09 had a stellar performance in the cage and was subbed for the first time during the season.

Overall, the second half of the Williams game and the trouncing the Panthers delivered to the Lord Jeffs showed that the team is putting it all together when it counts.

This week, the squad prepares to face Wesleyan for the second time this season - after the first Cardinal-Panther matchup this season ended in Middlebury's unexpected defeat, the men are eager to avenge their loss and prove their mettle on the turf.

Despite the high stakes, "we are preparing for Wesleyan like every other game," added Schopp. "We're working hard in practice and getting focused on putting everything together come game day. The only differense is, the offense will be practicing to face a zone defense rather than a man-to-man [defense]."

With the fans at home cheering on the Panthers this Saturday, the team just might be in for the big win Middlebury has been waiting for.