C.W. Post Burns Laxmen in Opener; Corcoran, Pujols Shine in 13-11 Loss

The grass hasn't turned green yet on Ohiri Field, but the Harvard men's lacrosse team has already begun to tear it up.

Unfortunately, in the closing moments of Saturday's game against C.W. Post, the Crimson probably could have used an extra bit of life, as the laxmen dropped their season opener to the Pioneers, 13-11.

One hundred spectators watched as C.W. Post, 12th in last year's final NCAA rankings, upped its record to 2-0 by scoring twice in a 28-second stretch midway through the fourth quarter and permanently re-taking the lead, 12-11.

A goal by Thom Germano in the game's final minute iced the game for the Pioneers, who had taken two previous two-goal leads, only to see them both disappear in the midst of Harvard rallies.

Trailing, 10-8, at the start of the final period, Harvard scored three straight times in less than five minutes on goals by Nick Nero, Steve Lux and Co-Captain Tom Corcoran to take its last lead of the contest.

Harvard Head Coach Bob Scalise was disappointed but not displeased with his team's performance, adding that some players played a bigger role than others. "At 10-10, the game could have gone either way," Scalise said, "but it was the little things that hurt us all afternoon.

"Some players were involved in the game," he added, "but others seemed to play a little less intensely. For our team to win, everyone must play with a high level of intensity."

Corcoran, who earned second-team All-Ivy honors last year, led all Crimson scorers with three goals in the game. Chris Pujols, the other Harvard co-captain, finished with two goals and two assists, while Nick Nero also threw in two goals and had an assist. Freshman Robert Griffith had an auspicious collegiate debut by pouring in two goals in the contest.

For the Pioneers, attackman Mike Barnett and middie Germano led the way with three tallies apiece. Jim Bovich added two more to help C.W. Post to victory.

Big Red Next

Harvard next faces Cornell on Saturday, again at Ohiri Field. The laxmen will be looking for their first Ivy League victory since 1984, having compiled an 0-6 record in last year's Ancient Eight competition. A defeat of the Big Red, however, would be no easy task for the Crimson, as Cornell has traditionally been an Ivy powerhouse.

"Cornell is probably a better team than C.W. Post, so we will have to do a lot of improving this week," said Scalise.

But, come Saturday, the grass might be greener and the weather might be warmer.

And, for the Crimson, the outcome might be a whole lot better.