The Fairfield men’s lacrosse team could not hold off Dartmouth in the fourth quarter to lose a heartbreaker at the Stags’ home-opener last Saturday 14-12. After gaining control in the third quarter, breakdowns in the final minutes cost the Stags the game.
Fairfield battled No. 18 Dartmouth throughout the first half, with neither teaming gaining a lead of more than two goals. It was not until the Stags went on a tear in the third quarter, led by attack Travis Nelson ’08, that they gained a solid lead. Nelson scored twice in a 5-0 Fairfield run that spanned almost the entire quarter and gave Fairfield a 10-7 lead.
Dartmouth scored twice before the quarter ended and would start the fourth quarter down by a goal. Dartmouth then knotted the game at 10 only 45 seconds into the fourth quarter. Midfielder Greg Downing ’07 put the Stags back up by one, and Nelson added another goal a minute later for a 12-10 Stags lead.
Unfortunately, that was the last lead they would have. Dartmouth scored four times in the games final 4:11, including a goal with one second remaining, to take the lead and the win. Fourth quarter breakdowns were the reason the lead was surrendered.
“We were perfect on clears going into the fourth quarter, and then we struggled,” said Downing. “Our defense could make the stop, but we had trouble turning the ball over afterwards.”
Nelson led the Stags in scoring for the game, tallying four goals and one assist. Downing added two goals and two assists, and co-captain Josh Thornton ’06 contributed two goals and an assist. Attackman Mike Bocklet ’07 matched Thorton’s output in the game, once catching an assist from his brother, defenseman Matt Bocklet ’08. Gary Raniolo ’09 and Chris Manley ’07 had a goal apiece, while Charlie Keinath ’07 and Brian Finnerty ’08 chipped in with an assist each.
For the Big Green, most of the scoring came from Tewaaraton candidate Jamie Coffin. The senior attackman touched Fairfield for four goals and two assists, including game tying goals in the first and fourth quarters. ick Bonacci would add three goals and an assist. Brian Koch and Tim Daniels each had two goals as well. Sean Anthony, Ryan Dahehy, and Ryan O’Connor each had goals as well to round out the Dartmouth scoring effort.
Michael Krueger ’07, hoping to build on his strong sophomore season, had 13 saves in the game, including an eight save effort in the second quarter. Dartmouth finished with 10 saves.
After first quarter troubles, the Stags dominated the face-offs in the game, finishing 17-28. Dartmouth outshot Fairfield, but by a small margin of 40-36. The Stags won the battle for ground ball 34-32. Extra man efforts would also prove to be a difference in the game, as Dartmouth went 4-6 on man-up, while Fairfield could only convert 1-3.
Fairfield looks to move on from this loss as they open up ECAC play on Friday at Rutgers.
“We need to learn from our mistakes. Defensively our game wasn’t there, and offensively we need to possess the ball. Rutgers is a tough team and we need to get ready for them,” said Downing. Rutgers is coming of a 10-6 loss to Delaware, and is 1-1 on the season.
It is hard to tell what sort of long term implications a loss like this might have for Fairfield.
“If they drop a few of their easier games, this could hurt us,” said Downing. The Stags look to put up a strong in-conference performance, beginning this Friday with Rutgers.
The loss drops Fairfield to 1-1 overall on the season, and Dartmouth remains undefeated, improving to 3-0.
Leave a Reply