M. Lacrosse Edges Bucknell in Season Opener, 10-9

The No. 25 Harvard men’s lacrosse team began its 2002 season with a win on the road at Bucknell this Saturday.

Following a strong third quarter performance in which the Crimson outscored the Bison 5-1, Harvard held off a late rally to secure a 10-9 victory.

While the win puts the Crimson at 1-0 on the year, Bucknell dropped to 0-2 after a season opening loss to No. 15 North Carolina.

The Crimson fell behind early in Saturday’s contest after allowing the Bison to get on the board just 50 seconds into the game.

“There were maybe some first game jitters for the young guys but we were really confident,” co-captain Michael Baly said.

After allowing the early goal the Crimson settled in offensively and scored three goals in the first period.

“We were a little on edge to start but after we scored a few goals we really loosened up,” sophomore goalie Jake McKenna said.

The Bison defense stiffened in the second frame, allowing only five shots on goalie Justin Sussman.

The Crimson could not manage a tally while Bucknell was able to beat McKenna for two goals to take a 4-3 lead into the locker room.

“We got a little bit away from our game [in the second period],” Baly said. “We just talked about coming out and playing the way we knew we could.”

Harvard came out alive after the break, turning the tables on the Bison and scoring the first of its five third quarter goals in the opening minute.

The Crimson would dominate the period from start to finish, outshooting the Bison 14-7. Freshman Mike McBride ended the period with a last second goal to put Harvard up 8-5 going into the final frame.

After Harvard junior Jay Wich tallied his game-high fourth goal with 6:05 remaining to put the Crimson up 10-6, Harvard appeared to have the game in its control.

The Bison would rally however, pulling to within one goal with just less than one minute remaining in the game. Harvard needed a last second save by McKenna to keep the game from going into overtime.

“In the last two or three minutes the ball kind of bounced their way a few times, but you have to give them credit because they played hard to make it a close game,” Baly said.

Living up to his pre-season Face-Off magazine Honorable Mention All-American billing, McKenna tallied 19 saves on the night.

“Jake played wonderfully,” Baly said. “The whole defense played great.”

Junior Matt Primm, also picked as a pre-season Honorable Mention All-American, turned in a strong offensive performance, netting two goals and adding four assists.

An even more impressive performance perhaps came from Wich. After missing a third of the season last year due to injuries, Wich’s four goals are already half of his last season’s total.

Rounding out the scoring for the Crimson were three seniors. Derek Nowak and captains Baly and James Christian each added one goal apiece.

“Our offense really stepped it up and played with a lot of energy the whole game,” McKenna said. “We created great opportunities and were able to finish them.”

Harvard will return to Jordan Field for its home opener next Saturday against Hartford at 2 p.m.