By: Kevin S. Clancy, Beat Writer MIT
After a bit of a shaky start for Tech on Saturday March 12, and a few gasps emanating from the Steinbrenner Stadium in Cambridge, Massachusetts during the first period (4-3 UNE), the Engineers scored five unanswered goals in the second to take the lead and not relinquish it against a non-conference but always excellent competitor, University of New England with Tech winning 18-13. MIT is now 3-0.
UNE junior J.T. Oliver scored at thirty seconds into the game followed by a man-up strike set up by Curry to freshman Alex Zadworny two minutes later. Tech Senior Luke Verdi got his chance at 10:58 mark to stop the bleeding. Sophomore Mitch Turley and senior Jonah Hessels evened the score but UNE’s Curro ended the first quarter with an unassisted goal (4-3 UNE).
Second period belonged to the Engineers firing on all cylinders with Graham Davis scoring with the help of junior Michael Traub which tied the game. Hessels set up Carter Morgan for his first college strike. Goalie Eric Bartell got an assist and excited the crowd as he long balled beyond midfield to Christian Jamison who went straight to goal. Half ended 8-4 Tech.
Nor’easter’s Curro scored and UNE fought back in the third with a man-up goal added by Luttrell narrowing the lead to 9-7 at the 9:22 mark. Back and forth goals from Paul Orrson for Tech and Clautier from UNE giving each team a chance at six minutes to go in the third with the score 10-8.
Tech took the torch and went on an 8-2 run in the last five minutes of the third and the first five minutes of the fourth and final frame. UNE continued to attack and generated three goals in the last six minutes, two by Luttrell. Final MIT 18—UNE 13.
Harris Stolzenberg (MIT) had five points on three goals and two assists in helping the “Tech” go to 3-0 for the season. Michael Traub had two goals and two assists to join an elite group at MIT eclipsing 100 points.
Senior John Kramer who leads Tech with caused turnovers totaled five ground balls and caused three turnovers. Freshman Mitchell Galer was 17-30 in face-offs and Bartell had five saves in 48 minutes at goal. Freshman Alex Lynch and Victor Fink split the last twelve minutes in the net with three and two saves respectively.
Mindy Brauer, Assistant Director of DAPER communications told me that in the last five contests between these two teams before today were decided by a total of only six goals. Always close.
The great thing about college lacrosse is the friendliness of the fans in the stadium. I happened to be sitting in the MIT parent’s section (it was in the sun) and got to hear the proud families uttering sing song praises of son’s accomplishing what they loved to do and play. Fathers and mothers both in this crowd had played college lacrosse and most had coached teams along the way. They knew more than the refs (of course) but only commented amongst themselves. Coming from up and down the east coast, they did what most parents love to do; watch their children and I was lucky to be with them.
Kevin Clancy, Beat Writer MIT University
Lacrosse is Awesome