Men’s Lacrosse Opens Conference Play with Win

By Timothy Marcin
Elm Staff Writer

While most of the school was getting some rest and relaxation, the Men’s Lacrosse team was having a great spring break of their own, winning both of their games. The Shoremen now have a 3-2 record, and look to be poised for a great run as the conference season is in full swing.

The squad started off with a solid victory over visiting Wesley College on the 13th. Senior midfielder Shane Kaski lead the charge, scoring three goals and tallying an assist as Washington went on to win by an emphatic score of 12-6. The Shoremen jumped out to an early lead of 4-0 in the first quarter and never looked back.

Sophomore Bennett Cord pushed the lead to 10-3 at the very end of the third quarter, and the game was essentially in hand. Along with Kaski: sophomore Matt Lewis, freshman Hunter Nowicki, and Cord all scored multiple goals, each registering two goals apiece. Sophomore defensemen Michael Pierandri led the defense with a game-high of three caused turnovers. The 12 goals scored by the Shoremen was the highest total for the team in nearly two years, earning them a dominant victory.

After the win against Wesley, the Shoremen carried that momentum into their Centennial Conference opener against McDaniel on the 19th. Much like the Wesley game, the team once again was able to jump out to a quick lead.

Cord opened the scoring, with a goal toward the end of the first quarter, giving the Shoremen a 1-0 edge. After McDaniel scored to bring the game to a draw nine seconds after Cord’s goal—the first half was all Washington. The Shoremen netted five unanswered goals to close out the half, including a crucial man-down goal by junior Michael Pancottine, his first of his college career. The WAC dominance continued in the third quarter, as they scored three more unanswered goals to push the lead to 9-1. McDaniel rallied with a run of six unanswered goals of their own in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough to topple the lead the Shoremen had built. Cord led all players with three goals for Washington, while sophomore Pat Coyle added two goals and one assist, and junior goalie Peter Stewart tallied 15 saves in net.

Coach Jeff Shirk was obviously pleased with the results and team effort over break saying, “The difference maker in the Wesley and McDaniel games was that the entire team came emotionally ready to compete. It makes all the difference in the world when you are mentally and emotionally ready to play,” said Shirk.

That attitude will be paramount this week as the team enters the meat of the season—conference play. Their next seven matchups are all Centennial games.

When asked about how the team feels about entering conference play Shirk responded, “I think the team feels pretty good entering conference play. We have worked hard to make ourselves a competitive team. The Centennial is one of the toughest conferences in Division 3 and I think the boys are ready to make their mark. Getting that first conference win against McDaniel was great for our morale and confidence.”

With away games against Haverford and Franklin & Marshall upcoming, making a mark is no easy task for the Shoremen—but if the past two games are any indication, they are up for the challenge.

March 25, 2011
Volume LXXXI Issue 19

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