The men’s lacrosse team traveled to Bates (2-1, 1-1 NESCAC) on Sunday for their NESCAC opener, but came up short in a 13-9 loss. This defeat halts the men’s winning streak at five games, as the team got off to a hot start and destroyed several foes in Florida.
Before heading south, the Cardinals took out two severely outmatched foes in the harsh New England weather. Against Mount Ida on March 9, the team had a fifteen-goal lead at the half en route to a 20-2 victory. Two days later, the team easily handled Endicott a 17-3 trouncing.
The team continued their dominance in Florida during the second week of break. A strict work-out regiment, comprised of beach volleyball and ocean-front squats and lunges appears to be exactly what the doctor order for the Birds, as they defeated both Clarkson and New England College during the eight day jaunt. The win against New England College followed the form of the first two games, as the team dominated in a 21-4 victory. Brian Adam ’04 highlighted the blow out with his first two career goals.
“Brian Adams is a sex cat,” said quad-captain Dan Ackil ’04.
The second game of the trip finally pitted the Cardinals against a worthy opponent, and Clarkson proved this by jumping out to an early 3-0 lead. The team battled back, lead on the offensive end by Parks “Glen” Adams ’06 and quad-captain Ian Applegate ’04 with four and three goals respectively. Goalie Matt Wheeler ’05 provided two crucial saves in the closing moments, as the Cardinals held on to a hard-fought 11-10 victory.
“I think that, by far, I have played the best in every game this season,” said Applegate. “I have all five game balls.”
The men returned to Connecticut from West Palm Beach, tanned and finely tuned. In the team’s home opener against Babson last Wednesday, the team held on to an 8-6 victory. Although the final was close, the team dominated most of the last three quarters to overcome Babson’s 4-1 first quarter effort in sloppy conditions. Chris Knacke ’05 sparked the come back with three straight goals in the third, as the Cardinals took over the game with a 5-0 run. Knacke leads the team in goals (14), assists (11) and points (25).
The team’s successful start comes as no surprise. The team placed third in the conference last year, and returns all starters but one. Applegate and Adams made All-Conference in the NESCAC last season, along with quad-captains Chris Mele ’04 and Jeff Jorve ’04. Adams and Mele both earned All-New England honors as well. The Cardinals start has been noticed, as they held the sixth spot in the regional rankings going into the Bates game.
The loss of face-off coach Hugh Villacis was perhaps the toughest blow dealt to the team this off-season, but the addition of a freshman Rob Chang ’07 will help shore up the loose end on the face off side.
The team looks to avenge its first loss of the season on Tuesday, as they host Western New England College. This will be the final game before traveling to Middlebury to take on the defending champion Panthers this weekend.
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