A program-best 5-0 record had the Fairfield men’s lacrosse in a perfect position on their road to an ECAC title run.
Last Saturday in Happy Valley, Pa., that road hit its first detour.
Specifically, it ran into Penn State sophomore goalie Drew Adams.
Adams had 13 saves on 27 shots and held the Stags to their lowest scoring total of the season in a 10-7 Nittany Lions win.
“He might be the best goalie in the country,” said Stags’ Head Coach Ted Spencer.
Adams, the reigning ECAC Rookie of the Year and a first-team All-ECAC selection, made several big saves on one-on-one situations, which Spencer said should have been “simple layups” for the Stags.
Aside from his play in the net, many of his saves led to transition opportunities for Penn State, an integral part of its 6-0 run in the second quarter. Led offensively by senior midfielder Gil Pearsall, Penn State scored six consecutive goals in a surge of fast-break offense.
“I think Drew made a few good saves and they pushed the ball in transition and got some fast-breaks that lead to goals,” said Fairfield goaltender Mike Kruger ’07. “It completely changed the momentum of the game.”
Penn State’s streak included an extra-man goal by Pearsall on one of two Fairfield second quarter penalties, as well as a shorthanded goal scored by senior Brian Boyle, his second of the quarter.
A turning point in the quarter that capped Penn State’s rally came on an outstanding save by Adams on senior captain Mike Bocklet, the Stags’ leading scorer heading into game, with Fairfield on extra-man offense.
On the ensuing clear, a fast break developed that led to a Penn State goal with one second remaining in the half, a momentum-changing situation that Spencer called a tremendous “two-goal swing.”
“Instead of 6-4, it’s 7-3. Just like that,” said Spencer.
Aside from the second quarter, however, Fairfield looked strong. The Stags jumped out of the gate quickly, an impressive quality that the team has demonstrated early this season.
Senior attackman Chris Manley scored 1:19 after the face-off, giving Fairfield an early lead.
Later in the quarter, Bocklet scored on a feed from midfielder Dan Boudreau ’08 and Travis Nelson ’08 scored on a pass from Brian Stanton ’08 with three seconds remaining to give the Stags a 3-1 lead. On this day, though, first quarter successes did not translate into a victory. The Stags were forced to play catch-up for the remainder of the game.
To their credit, the Stags did not go quietly.
Finding themselves facing a four-goal deficit at the beginning of the fourth quarter, the Stags managed to close the gap.
Stanton scored with 11:06 left in the game to end Penn State’s dominant run. Minutes later, Downing cut the lead to two, 8-6, with 8:01 left.
Unfortunately for the Stags, the effort was too little too late. Penn State scored two straight goals and regained a comfortable four goal-lead, that they did not relinquish.
“It was a chippy, back-and-forth game. We were even on ground balls. Face-offs were pretty even,” said Spencer. “It was a really well-fought game. We just didn’t hit our opportunities.”
The defense was especially strong, particularly in penalty situations.
After Penn State’s second quarter flurry, Fairfield was able to limit the opposition to only three goals in the entire half.
Spencer cited the strong play on the defensive side of the ball in man-down situations. Fairfield will look to continue its strong defensive play as they travel to upstate New York on Saturday to take on Hobart in a crucial ECAC game.
“Right now it’s the biggest game of the season. If we win, we’re in great shape heading into Georgetown,” said Kruger.
Following the Hobart game, the Stags face perhaps the two most challenging games of the season despite being non-conference match-ups.
First, the team heads to Washington D.C. to take on seventh-ranked Georgetown. They then head back to campus to take on No. 15 North Carolina, another tough match-up.
Despite their first loss, the Stags were quick to dismiss any idea that the loss to Penn State would affect their preparation.
“Each game is a must-win situation regardless of what our record is,” said Bocklet. “We have to keep up the hard work and make sure our second half is just as good as our first.”
Echoing Bocklet’s sentiment, Kruger insisted the team’s focus is as strong as ever. As far as they’re concerned, there’s only one thing on their mind.
“I don’t want to say [the game against Hobart] is going to make-or-break a season,” said Kruger. “But right now, it’s our biggest all year.”
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