After steam rolling opponents in four straight games to open the season, the nationally ranked men’s lacrosse team was unable to secure a league win in their first opportunity, falling to Bates 13-6 in competition over the weekend.
Coming off of three strong performances in Florida and a victory over Western New England College in their first game back up north, the Cardinals were ranked sixth nationally among division III programs, dominating teams on the attack to the tune of a 16 goal per game average.
When asked how their early domination would affect the team’s approach to NESCAC competition, senior tri-captain Matt Wheeler ’05 had this to say; “Our motto is, ‘We run train and we don’t stop for nobody.’ So that’s pretty much how we’re looking at things.”
When asked about the brief season ahead and their collision course with division III powerhouse Middlebury and other solid competition, Wheeler continued adhering to the train metaphor that seems to sum up Wes Lax in 2005.
“We know the train will not slow down for anyone, so we just sit back and enjoy the ride. In the words of Paul ”Goner“ Malangone, ‘who doesn’t enjoy a train ride…right?’ ”
Unfortunately for the boys in Red and Black, the train hit some rough track and what had been a smooth start turned rocky, at least for the moment.
The Cardinals were unable to get going offensively and Bates kept their attack methodical and diverse, as seven different players netted the first seven goals. The Bobcats took a 9-2 advantage into the final period, and matched a late Wesleyan surge with four goals of their own to seal the 13-6 victory.
“Bates jumped out in front early and just seemed to be catching all of the breaks,” said tri-captain Chris Meade ’05. “Struggling and down late in the game, some of us tried to take the game into our own hands and forgot to play as a team, which is where we’re strong.”
Meade cited difficulties clearing the ball out of the defensive end, failure to come up with ground balls, and not putting shots away as key to the defeat. Chris Knacke ’05 and Glen Adams ’06 provided the bulk of the offense for the Cards, both players picking up three points apiece, Knacke on a trio of scores and Adams with a pair of goals and an assist. Mike Vitulano ’06 contributed a score of his own to round out the six-goal Cardinal performance.
In the aftermath of their second loss to Bates in as many seasons, Meade tried to respond to questions about what has made the Bobcats so tough the last two years.
“They’re not the most skilled team, but they’re well conditioned and play with a lot of heart,” he said. “They’re a team that is capable of really coming out and surprising some people if they can continue to play with that kind of intensity.”
As the Cards ready for upcoming match-ups with Western Connecticut State (Wed.) and Middlebury (Sat.), the team will look to get back to basics and sharpen their play on both sides of the ball, minds focused on getting the offense operating at full tilt in time to pink sock the Panthers come Saturday.
“The train is still rolling,” Meade said.
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