Cahill Takes Command, As Middlebury Tops W&L
by Andy Krauss | Special to Lacrosse Magazine Online | Game Blog
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Washington and Lee's Will Keigler (3g, 2a) works against the defense of Middlebury's Charlie Schoop on Tuesday. The fifth-ranked Panthers downed Keigler and the 11th-ranked Generals, 11-9. © John Strohsacker/LaxPhotos.com |
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- For the second straight
season, the Middlebury men's lacrosse team used its spring break to
visit the nation’s capital and play stiff competition from
the South. And for the second straight season, the Panthers
defeated Washington and Lee, grinding out an 11-9 victory Tuesday
at Georgetown University.
Middlebury, ranked No. 5 in this week's USILA Division III poll,
scored the game's last three goals and improved to 4-0. No. 11
W&L fell to 7-2.
“We come down here to play a good team, but more than
anything we just want to see where we’re at,” said
Middlebury head coach Dave Campbell. “This is their
ninth game and only the fourth game for us. We want to test
ourselves and get ourselves ready for conference competition.
This was a good boost of confidence for the guys.”
The Panthers seized control early. After falling behind, 2-0, they
scored five of the next six goals to take a 5-3 lead after the
first quarter. Middlebury's first two goals came from the stick of
sophomore attackman Tim Cahill.
The Generals slowed down the pace considerably in the second
quarter, knotting the contest at 6-6 at halftime. It set the tone
for a nip-and-tuck second half. W&L outscored Middlebury,
3-2 in the third quarter to seize a 9-8 lead.
“I think we got a little too comfortable after taking the
two-goal lead,” said Cahill. “It took us a couple
of quarters to wake up.”
The fourth quarter belonged to Middlebury. As the steady rain at
Multi-Sport Field tapered, the Panthers took control.
Middlebury scored three goals in less than two minutes, capped by
Cahill's go-ahead goal with 6:26 remaining.
The Panthers made it a possession game from there, playing
keepaway for much of the last two minutes. Middlebury commanded
ground balls, 8-2, in the fourth quarter and made good on five of
six clears.
Campbell acknowledged he had something special in Cahill, who
scored a game-high four goals.
“He’s a great finisher, has a great shot and puts it
where he wants,” said Campbell. “He was integral in our
win today. Their goalie [Matt Mason] was playing well, and there
weren't many guys who were beating him. Timmy did.”
Middlebury will leave D.C. on Wednesday for the familiar north,
where it will play Connecticut College. “I love coming down
here,” said Cahill. “It’s awesome to play a
team like Washington and Lee. They got some snow in Vermont
this weekend, so it’s great to be down here.”
