M. Lacrosse Drops Overtime Heartbreaker, 10-9

It was the great rematch of David and Goliath, and yet again David proved too much for his more talented opponent.

The 12th-ranked men's lacrosse team (2-1 overall) lost its first game of the season in the closing seconds of overtime to the upstart Hartford Hawks (2-1).

Hartford freshman Keith Anzelone finished the matter when he took a fast break feed five feet from the crease and beat Harvard goalie Rob Lyng (10 saves) for the game winner.

From the very outset, it seemed that the Crimson laxmen did not know that they were in a game. They sputtered on offense and were not containing on defense.

"We definitely sucked today," junior attackman Mike Ferrucci said. "We deviated from every game plan we've ever had."

Hartford struck fast and often, scoring three goals in the first six minutes, including a beautiful quick stick in which Hartford junior Jason Clark threaded the needle to Anzelone for the finish.

Harvard got on the board in the closing minutes of the first quarter when the Crimson man-up squad capitalized on a slashing penalty. Freshman Lawson DeVries drew the undermanned defense towards the rear of the cage and hit a cutting Ferrucci for the score.

Ferrucci, the leading Crimson scorer, recorded another spectacular day as he scored four goals and notched an assist in the losing effort.

But numbers don't satisfy like a win.

"That stuff doesn't matter," Ferrucci said. "It doesn't matter what one person does or what two people do. We're a team, and we lost as a team."

The Hawks quickly regained momentum in the beginning of the second quarter when they scored two quick goals to widen the gap to 5-1.

The Crimson refused to make it easy for the Hawks--they managed to exhibit a little of their 12th-ranked form when they reeled off four unanswered goals to knot the score at five at the end of the first half.

But, regardless of the score, it was Hartford that controlled the half. The Hawks held the ball for well over twenty minutes and stymied the Crimson offense.

"They should have blown us out in the first half," Ferrucci said. "We're not physical on defense, we didn't finish on offense--it's stuff we have to work on."

The first eight minutes of the second half saw the two squads exchange defensive stands, particularly noteworthy was the play of Hartford's senior goalie Chris LaMonica, who recorded 28 saves, many from close range.

Harvard finally broke the stalemate when Ferrucci ripped a shot from the top of the box and beat LaMonica off his right hip. This would be Harvard's first, and last, lead of the game, 6-5.

The Hawks were able to strike twice in the third quarter. One goal, netted by junior Jason Clarke was actually assisted by LaMonica. The goalie had crossed midfield on a busted clear and was able to draw Clarke's man into coverage before dumping off the assist.

The game got interesting when the two teams traded goals and tied up the score with thirty seconds remaining.

An off-sides call on Hartford gave the Crimson the ball and a man advantage. The Crimson was not able to capitalize this time however, as Lamonica made a brilliant save on junior Lou Bevilacqua's shot to the upper right hand corner of the net.

This save sent the game in overtime and set the stage for Anzelone's last second heroics.

While the overall effort was poor for the laxmen, certain aspects of their game appeared impressive. They were able to convert 50 percent of their man-up opportunities and only blew one clear. In addition, Harvard junior Doug Crofton scored a career-high four goals.

Although Harvard did manage to show flashes of brilliance, it was wildly inconsistent.

"We came out flat, there's no doubt doubt about it," said coach Scott Anderson. "It's hard to come back, and once we did I think some guys thought it would be a lot easier and we flattened out again."

The players know that they have to improve their game and maintain a consistent effort if they want to get asked back to the elite NCAA Tournament.

"You can't go on a roller-coaster effort against a good team," Ferrucci said. "These guys were good, they beat us in every aspect of the game. If we're going to be back in the tournament this year, we've got to pick it up right now or else we're going to bow out pretty early." Hartford  10 Harvard  9

HARTFORD, 10-9 at Lacrosse Field Hartford  3  2  2  2  1  --  10 Harvard  1  4  1  3  0  --  9

G: Hartford--Richard 3, Clarke 2, Anzelone 2, Kulesky, Fisher; Harvard--Ferrucci 4, Crofton 4, DeVries. A: Hartford--Clarke 4, Richard 1, Kulesky, Gravano, LaMonica; Harvard--J. Bevilacqua 4, Ferrucci, DeVries, Leary, L. Bevilacqua. S: Hartford--LaMonica 28; Harvard--Lyng 10.

HARTFORD, 10-9 at Lacrosse Field Hartford  3  2  2  2  1  --  10 Harvard  1  4  1  3  0  --  9

G: Hartford--Richard 3, Clarke 2, Anzelone 2, Kulesky, Fisher; Harvard--Ferrucci 4, Crofton 4, DeVries. A: Hartford--Clarke 4, Richard 1, Kulesky, Gravano, LaMonica; Harvard--J. Bevilacqua 4, Ferrucci, DeVries, Leary, L. Bevilacqua. S: Hartford--LaMonica 28; Harvard--Lyng 10.

G: Hartford--Richard 3, Clarke 2, Anzelone 2, Kulesky, Fisher; Harvard--Ferrucci 4, Crofton 4, DeVries. A: Hartford--Clarke 4, Richard 1, Kulesky, Gravano, LaMonica; Harvard--J. Bevilacqua 4, Ferrucci, DeVries, Leary, L. Bevilacqua. S: Hartford--LaMonica 28; Harvard--Lyng 10.