In a season of firsts for the Williams men's lacrosse team, not
only did the Ephs secure their first automatic bid to the NCAA
Tournament by winning the NESCAC title, but they have received a
first round bye in their first tourney appearance. Winning the 2008
NESCAC title was the frist time the Ephs had won the NESCAC crown
and the first time Williams had reached the NESCAC title game.
The Ephs will next be in action on May 10 when they travel to
Ithaca, NY to take on the 15-2 Ithaca Bombers. Ithaca is ranked 5th
nationally by LaxNews and has won five games in a row.
The Bombers are the Empire 8 champions, having won that title back
on April 27 when they defeated RIT.
Saturday will be a homecomng of sorts for Eph head coach George
McCormack who played football and lacrosse at Ithaca, graduating in
1987.
"I think this will be a great game, because year in and year out
Ithaca is one of the best teams in their region and they are almost
always nationally ranked," said McCormack.
McCormack's Ephs (10-5) enter the NCAA tourney riding a six-game
win streak that features wins over five nationally ranked
opponents. One of the wins resulted in Middlebury's first ever loss
in NESCAC Tournament play when the Ephs prevailed 11-10 in OT on a
Richard Reuter goal.
"I was pleased this weekend that we put two good games together and
I liked how solid our defense was," noted McCormack. "Michael
Gerbush was very good again in goal and our offense took advantage
of some situations. Mostly I was impressed with how well the team
maintained its composure."
"The Middlebury game was a heavyweight slugfest and we were
fortunate to get the last shot and the Bowdoin game was played at a
much slower pace, because both teams were tired," said McCormack.
"But to our credit we stayed with the game plan and we
executed."
The Ithaca-Williams game on Saturday, May 10 will start at 1 p.m.,
at Upper Terrace Field at Ithaca College. Ticket prices will be $5
(adults), $3 (students) and $1 (children under 12).
