Laxmen Sustain Streak

Two week ago, the Harvard men's lacrosse team found itself looking at a 1-7 record. The team looked tired and defeated. The critics and even the fans had chalked up another disappointing, losing season.

But the nasty rumors of the lacrosse team's demise have started to dissipate with the help of the potent winds of victory.

The men from Cambridge traveled north Sunday for a game against Vermont(9-3) and came away with a 15-11 win.

The way things were going for the Crimson earlier this season, it would probably have lost and gotten stranded in a snow storm sequel reminiscent of the Blizzard of '93.

Now things are different. Harvard went to Vermont carrying a modest two-game winning streak with it, and left with that streak still intact. Three in a row for the Crimson. And for the first time, Harvard (4-7, 1-3 Ivies) can fathom a winning season.

"If we can win our last four games, we'll end up with a winning season," sophomore Spencer Rice said. "I think we can win all our last games."

Senior Co-Captain Eric Bentley was even more adamant.

"A winning season is definitely a realistic goal," Bentley said. "I don't doubt for a minute that we'll win our last four."

Indeed, if the Crimson continues to play the way it has been, anything can happen.

The Crimson kept things rolling Saturday with a solid game at both ends of the field.

"We played some great lacrosse, both offensively and defensively," Bentley said. "It was a close game, and we worked really hard, enabling us to get the victory."

There were certainly no letdowns in this one, and the "second half collapse" seems to be a thing of the past. A faint and distant nightmare.

Early in the fourth period, Harvard found itself holding a slight edge, 11-10. The Crimson had taken an 8-5 lead into halftime, and built that lead up to 10-6 in the third but saw Vermont battle back.

But Harvard didn't fold. It continued to play its game, and the offense came through. In the fourth quarter, Harvard got two goals from junior Ed Sim, and a goal each from freshmen Chris Wojcik and Mike Eckert.

The defense held up too, allowing Vermont only one more goal. Junior Matt Camp (15 saves) tightened up in net, and Harvard was able to hang on to the victory.

The first half was paced by Harvard's quick start. It jumped out to a 4-1 first quarter lead.

Sophomore Pat Marvin netted two in the first, with senior Robb Hirsh and freshman Chris Wojcik adding one each.

"We jumped out to an early lead against Vermont," Rice said. "That was a key to our game."

In the second, penalties plagued the Crimson. Vermont was able to score three goals in a row, tying the game at 4-4. But Harvard responded with four goals of its own, widening the margin to 8-4. A late goal by Vermont put the score at 8-5 at the half.