For the fourth consecutive season, the men’s lacrosse team will travel to Middlebury for the Final Four of the NESCAC tournament, this time taking on Bowdoin in Saturday’s semifinal. A win over the Polar Bears would punch the Cardinals’ ticket to their third-straight NESCAC Final, in which they would meet either Middlebury or Tufts.
The Cardinals slogged through a hailstorm to edge Bowdoin 6-3 back on April 8 in Middletown. Grayson Connors ’08 pocketed two goals, including the game-winner, and tri-captain Glenn Adams ’06 assisted on half of the Cards’ goals to fuel the offense. Meanwhile, Charlie Congleton ’07 stopped 12 Polar Bear shots as Wesleyan’s zone defensive scheme stifled Bowdoin’s attack, holding the visitors scoreless in the second half.
The playoffs can add an extra intensity to the game, however, that makes it difficult to beat a team for the second time in a season. The Cards, never a team to back down from a challenge, relish at the opportunity to knock off Bowdoin in the playoffs.
“Playing in the playoffs is a lot like being in a bar late night,” said Steve Binswanger ’06. “There’s not much time left in the season and you just want to get to hold that trophy against your skin, rubbing it until you cannot take anymore. That’s a playoff atmosphere for you, it gets no better.”
In this weekend’s re-match, the zone will again have to be aware of Bowdoin’s Connor Fitzgerald, who leads the NESCAC in total points and assists. In the last meeting, the Cardinals held Fitzgerald in check, allowing him to set up just two goals but never allowing him or the Bowdoin offense to settle into a rhythm. The Polar Bears’ attack usually centers on pushing the ball, a pace the Cards will likely discourage with their zone defense and slow-down attack. Long stick midfielders like Pete Harris ’07 will be pivotal in forcing Bowdoin to play Wesleyan’s game.
“One thing that separates us from the other teams in our conference is the good play and good looks of Peter Harris,” Binswanger said. “He doesn’t get the credit he deserves, but when the kid steps on the field it’s like something out of ‘8th and Ocean.”
With decent weather expected over the weekend, “Wesleyan-Bowdoin Part Deux” could quickly develop into a slugfest as the Cards and Polar Bears rank second and third, respectively, in the conference in terms of goals per game. Whatever the score, the Cardinals are focused on winning.
“We’re looking forward to quieting any controversy, playing lacrosse and showing we deserve to be here,” said Tom Bendon ’07.
Wesleyan defeated each of the conference tournament’s three remaining teams during regular season play. Furthermore, the Cardinals beat Middlebury and Tufts, their potential opponents in the final, on the road this year.
The Cardinals got by Tufts in a 4-3 defensive battle on April 26. Earlier in the year, the Redbirds 10-7 win over Middlebury on April 1 marked the first time since the 1970s that the Cardinals have defeated the Panthers. Middlebury, a national powerhouse, has won every NESCAC tournament since 2000 and also accumulated three national titles to begin the new millennium. Since then, Wesleyan has rapidly gained ground on the Panthers while establishing a force to be reckoned with in Middletown.
Playing two games in two days will surely take its toll on the Cards who have already fought through an exhausting regular season. Wesleyan’s depth, though, should give the Cardinals an advantage over the weekend.
“John Harding [’09] will most definitely be pivotal to our success this weekend,” Connors, who is second in the NESCAC in goals, said. “He brings us true lacrosse glory from his genuine lacrosse ancestry and heritage. And Wilky [Dave Wilkinson ’09] always comes to play. He just may have the fastest shot on the team.”
Wesleyan faces off against the Polar Bears at 3 p.m. on Saturday. The NESCAC final will be held at noon on Sunday.
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