Lax Champions Look the Part En Route to NEC

Author: Nick Ferner

Two years ago, the men's lacrosse team shocked the lacrosse world in becoming the first team from New England to capture the national championship. To many the victory was a fluke. What business did a team from Nowhereville, Vt. have, after all, in a tournament filled with past champions from traditional lacrosse hotbeds like Maryland and New York?

Last year, the Panthers silenced the doubters. Storming their way through the NCAA D-III tourney, Middlebury arrived at Rutgers Stadium to face Gettysburg College in the national championship. While the Bullets were preseason favorites, so much that their practice jerseys read "2001 National Champs," Middlebury entered the game as a humble underdog. In the 60 minutes that ensued, the Panthers handed the Bullets their worst loss of the season to walk away with the title. This year let there be no doubt. The Panthers are the team to beat.

To lead this year's charge, Middlebury returns some of its most potent offensive weapons. Captain Dave Seeley '02 will anchor an experienced attack and combine forces with fellow three-year starters Zach Herbert '02 and Greg Carroll '02. Having played together since their earliest days at Middlebury, the trio provides the Panthers with an attack unit filled with All-American potential. Brian Gault '03, Mike Saraceni '04 and Charlie Howe '04 will all play pivotal roles on this dominating attack that accounted for more than 15 goals in Saturday's 28-2 romping of New England College.

While the team's attack might be its most obvious weapon, it is far from being the only one. Seniors Peter Albro, Matt Dunn, Grayson Fertig, and junior Christopher Davis should supply the Panthers with plenty of firepower at the midfield. Having boasted the highest faceoff percentage in the NESCAC last year, specialist Brian McGregor '03 will return to take the Panthers' draws. Short stick middies Mike Frissora '03 and Greg Bastis '04 look to continue the Middlebury tradition of dominating the transition game, and big things are expected of longstick middie John West '04.

At close defense, the Panthers return starters Sebastian Astrada '02 and Nick Lesher '02. Caleb Holmes '03 and Rob Borden '04 both saw plenty of time last year were essential ingredients to a fearsome defense that guided the Panthers to last year's national title. And, not to be forgotten, sophomore goalie Eric Krieger returns from an MVP-like rookie season. Krieger and the rest of the Panther defense will have the pressure of playing up to huge expectations, but coaches and players alike are confident they can handle the task.

Although this past Saturday was the team's opener, a 28-2 victory over New England College was hardly the challenge it was looking for. Instead, the team will look forward to Tuesday's match up against Springfield College. Last year, the Pride handed the Panthers their only loss in a near perfect season a loss that continues to perplex the team but a loss that it anxiously awaits to avenge.

With practices going well for the Panthers, only time can tell what the future has in store for the two-time defending national champs. But with a team that players say has improved from last year, a feat that seems nearly impossible but one by which the team will eagerly defend, it appears that big things lie ahead. Head Coach Erin Quinn is the winningest coach in Middlebury lacrosse history with an incredible 127 victories in just 10 seasons, and fans can be sure that Quinn and his players will add more than a few victories to that number this season.

Already, the Panthers have been ranked number one in the country. A dynasty in the making, no doubt, there seems to be only one question left to ask: Will it be a three-peat?