Box
Score
Photo
Gallery
Mike
Ryan Photos (password is ephlax)
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass - In a must win situation the Williams
College men's lacrosse team overcame a three-goal deficit with
eight second half goals to defeat Little Three rival Wesleyan 10-7
Saturday. The Eph offensive was buoyed by a pair of goals
from senior Mike Vrla and first year David Hawley and a pair of
assists from Dixon Hargrove and Kevin Connolly.
After jumping out to an early 1-0 lead off of a goal from
Hargrove, the Ephs (3-4) surrendered three straight goals to
Cardinal attackmen Grayson Conners. However before the half Mike
Vrla, playing in only his second game of the season, netted the
first of his two goals off of a sensational off balanced shot with
only 2:39 remaining in the half. Both teams would threaten in the
waning moments of the quarter but neither defense broke and the
score remained 4-2 at the half.
Richard Reuter set the pace for the rest of the game early in
the third when he converted a dump off pass from Connolly that
pulled the Ephs within one only 5:24 into the quarter. However, the
games most sensational point came only two minutes later when, in
near identical back-to-back sequences only thirty seconds apart,
Brian Morrissey and Ryan Powell each made field long runs that
ended with unassisted goals, to give the Ephs their first lead
since the opening minutes at 6-5.
Grayson Connors would record his fourth goal of the contest for
the Cardinals (5-3) and even the score only three minutes
later, but Vrla and Hawley responded with three unanswered goals to
give the Ephs the lead for good at 9-6 with 11:45 remaining in the
fourth.
The Cardinals came within one after scoring two goals only
sixteen seconds apart in the middle of the period, but once again
the Ephs responded and restored their three goal advantage off of
goals from Corey Jacobs and Tim White before the game was through.
The Ephs recorded a slight shot advantage (WILLIAMS 29, WESLEYAN
26), but the two teams split face-offs with twenty one apiece.
Michael Gerbush again distinguished himself in goal for the Ephs,
netting three of his eight saves in the fourth quarter to
preserve the win.
This was a must win for the Ephs, who have lost four games this
season by a combined six points, and gives them momentum going into
the second half of the season.
"We have been right there at the end of a lot of games,"
remarked Eph Coach George McCormack. "Its good to play a complete
game and get the win, especially against a quality Little Three
opponent."
The Ephs will see if they can carry this momentum into next
week's matchup against Skidmore, the game will be played Tuesday
the 8th at 7:00 PM at Skidmore.
