Mike Giordano
MEN’S LACROSSE WINS HOME OPENER
March 12, 2012
The Middlebury College men’s lacrosse team used a 4-0 run in the fourth quarter against visiting Bates, pulling away for a 7-1 victory at Kohn Field. With the season-opening win, the eighth-ranked Middlebury squad is 1-0 overall and holds a similar NESCAC record. This was the 25th match-up of the two schools as Middlebury holds a sparkling 25-0 record over the Bobcats (1-2, 0-1).
The Panthers opened the game on a 3-0 run, with the first two goals set-up by assists from junior Mike Giordano (Ridgewood, N.J.). The season-opening goal was on a quick stick feed to sophomore Brian Ayers (Southborough, Mass.) at 10:07 in the first quarter, while the second was a fast break goal by junior Stew Kerr (Lake Forest, Ill.) at the 2:11 mark. Middlebury’s third goal was scored by sophomore Quinn Cronan (Winchester, Mass.) on a lefty dodge, bouncing one past Bobcat goalie Adam Scharff at 13:34 of the second quarter.
Bates cut the deficit to 3-1 at 4:19 of the second with an in close turn and stuff shot by Thomas Repko, on a feed from Rob Highland.
Neither team scored in the third quarter as the Panthers used 15 of their 31 shots during their fourth quarter, four-goal run for some breathing room. Kerr notched his second of the game at 14:06 before Giordano notched his third assist, setting up sophomore Stephen Seymour (Fairfield, Conn.) at 7:55 on a man-up tally. Senior Alex Englert (Wellesley, Mass.) rifled one home at 4:46, just 30 seconds before rookie Joel Blockowitz (Potomac, Md.) capped the scoring on a transition tally for a 7-1 final.
Giordano’s three helpers and Kerr’s pair paced Middlebury’s scoring, while junior Billy Chapman (Greenwich, Conn.) led all players with eight ground ball pick-ups. First-year player Nate Gaudio (Cheshire, Conn.) picked up the win in net, allowing one goal on seven saves. The lone goal is the fewest allowed by Middlebury since a shut-out 25-0 win over New England College in March of 2004.
Scharff takes the loss in goal for Bates, allowing eight goals, while making seven stops on the day.
• Men’s lacrosse record: 1-0
• Up next: 3/14 @ Springfield – 5:00, 3/17 vs. Conn. College – 1:00
