Bringing you up to Date on the Fall

An Update from Hanover, N.H. - Save the Date

10/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse

By: Dartmouth

This past Sunday, October 12 we faced off in the "Catamount Classic - Lacrosse For a Cure" at Thayer Academy in Braintree, Mass. The eight-team tournament raised money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston. We competed in three scrimmages against Fairfield, UMass, and Providence. It was a gorgeous day for fall lacrosse when we arrived at the athletic facility. Nine practices into our fall season we had just enough time to put in the necessary components to play a game. The 23 players we suited up, played hard from beginning to end of each of the 50 minute scrimmages.

Our first scrimmage was against Fairfield. They brought an aggressive defense to the field with plenty of midfield personnel to run up and down in transition. Our offense responded to the pressure and were able to execute the offense and match Fairfield's possession time. Our goalies and defense held Fairfield to two goals until the last minute of play when Fairfield tied the game 3-3. However, the score was not our primary focus, but our goal was to execute the areas of the game we had time to practice/coach during our nine practices heading into the tournament. With a sprained ankle, Senior Patrick Marshall started in the goal and performed well, making some vital stops while turning those stops into clears. Freshman Fergus Campbell played in the second half in his first college contest, also making stops and turning them into successful clears. Our team's success in the clears resulted into vital possessions for our offense.

In our second scrimmage we faced UMass. They again brought defensive pressure to our offense and upped the tempo in transition. Going up three goals in the first half of play, only one goal was scored in 6v6 settled play. Our defense did a solid job defending in settled situations and, once again, Pat Marshall made stops turning them into successful clears. Charging back in the second 25 minutes of play, we were able to tie the game 5-5. During this scrimmage we were able to evaluate our team's ability to come back from a small deficit and play hard for the entire contest. Offensively we were able to handle their pressure and possess the ball much more in the second half of play, ultimately, turning possession time into goals. Fergus Campbell, once again made stops and turned them into successful clears. The face-off game was a challenge in this scrimmage, but with our wing play and a solid face-off unit, were able to not allow any face-off unsettled opportunities.

Our last opponent was Providence. Freshman Alex Del Balso did an admirable job at the face-off "X" which tilted the game in our favor right from the start. In this contest we scored goals in almost every aspect of the game. Settled 6v6, off the face-off, from defense to offense, off ground balls in the offensive half of the field, and off broken clears (successful rides by our attack). On defense, we were able to hold Providence to one goal until the final few minutes of play. Freshman Fergus Campbell played the entire scrimmage, again making stops and turning them into clears. One major factor on the day was our offensive midfield's ability to drop back and ride as a unit off of offensive turn over situations. In three scrimmages we gave up a total of two transition goals (one to Fairfield and one to UMass). This will be a strong indicator for future success.

On attack Senior Brian Koch picked up where he left off last season finishing his opportunities and providing leadership at the offensive end of the field. He lined up all day with freshmen John DeChiaro, and Kip Dooley. The three provided solid ball possession by making good decisions with the ball and finished their opportunities while creating second chances off the ride. At the midfield, seven men played on the afternoon. Senior Martin Bernstein and junior Ian Ferrell both ran well between the lines turning clears into possessions. Sophomore Rhett Miller picked up where he left off last season hitting his opportunities on offense and and playing solid defense. Sophomore Jack Steele played well at both ends and between the lines while three freshmen midfielders Colin Delaney, Alex Del Balso, and Thomas Mattimore did the same.

On defense Seniors Pat Marshall (goal), John Mattimore (close defense), Tim McVeigh (close defense), and Doug Rendall (short stick d-midfield) anchored the unit all afternoon. Sophomores Andrew Leonhard and Mikey Whitcomb played at close defense with Whitcomb also taking runs at long stick midfield in the third contest. Freshman Ben Rossman played well within our team defense and also picked up many ground balls turning them into possessions through a strong clearing game. Sophomores Adam Boardman and Garrett Nicholson shared time at long stick midfield along with freshman Michael Gordon who also contributed at close defense. Short stick midfielders including sophomore Dennis Lally and freshman Anjelo Austria, played well all afternoon showing confidence and progress, minute by minute, of each scrimmage.

As a team, we grew stronger from scrimmage to scrimmage, as our confidence and experience began to build. We fielded many first time Division I players, as well as some sophomores who gained valuable game day experience. In all aspects of the game, we became stronger as the day progressed, especially between the lines which includes riding, clearing, and subbing. While we do not expect to get it done perfectly overnight (with only nine practices), it was good to see us learn and make progress as a team. It was also good to see some of our returning players from last season take on a greater role both on and off the field. Especially at the midfield position, we saw some players gain needed experience and play with greater poise over the course of the day. We continue to think about our 24 teammates who were not able to play this past weekend because they were either injured or "off-term." We look forward to welcoming back our junior class this January and know they are burning to get back after it!

Special thanks to all of our parents who attended this past weekend! It was fun to see everyone again post game! Before we know it we will be back together for our first scrimmage of the spring season! Stay in touch and stay tuned for more updates.

This Saturday, October 18 at 4:00 pm will be the culmination of our fall lacrosse season as we take on our Dartmouth Alumni Lacrosse Team at Scully-Fahey Field! We hope to see you there!

Best to you,

THE BIG GREEN COACHING STAFF