ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

In his four years in Cambridge, senior Mike Ferrucci has dominated in every facet of the game. As a rider, he has mastered stealing goalie's outlet passes, stripping defensemen with over-the-head checks, and laying out opponents. There is probably no attackman in the country who can match his physical presence.

Although imposing, Ferrucci has always had an exquisitely soft touch with the ball in his hands. The team leader in assists and goals, Ferrucci finished in the top-20 in goals per game and was top-10 in the nation in total points with 61.

He has been such a dominating presence that opposing teams have tried to neutralize him by having a defensemen shadow him throughout the game and deny him the ball.

However, when Hartford and Dartmouth tried it this week, they got a taste of Ferrucci at his best. Ferrucci exploded for fifteen points in the final two games of his career. Against Hartford, he had four goals and two assists playing just over half the game.

Last year, Ferrucci watched with frustration from the sidelines as Harvard dropped the final game of its season to the Big Green. On Saturday he and his teammates got their revenge, pounding them with an eight-goal explosion in the third quarter and winning 20-12.

Ferrucci contributed six goals and three assists in one of the best days of a brilliant career. The game showcased what has always been his opponents' worst nightmare, his powerful shot. Whether shooting on the run, bouncing one into the corner, firing underhand or finishing in the crease, there may not be another player in the college game with a better shot.

The Dartmouth game was the culmination of one of the finest careers in Harvard lacrosse. Ferrucci finished third on the school's all-time scoring list and only one goal shy of the Harvard career goal-scoring mark. As captain, he led the Crimson to an 11-3 mark and a second place finish in the Ivy League.

Ferrucci has been a fixture at attack for four years at Harvard and has, with the help of his fellow seniors, lifted Harvard lacrosse to new heights. He almost certainly will receive national or league recognition for his accomplishments, but The Crimson would like to honor him first for his leadership and the rare talent with which he has delighted Harvard fans.