UMass Beats Stickmen, 14-9, Despite Rugged Opposition

The UMass lacrosse team downed Harvard. 14-9, yesterday to win its revenge for last year's overtime loss to the Crimson.

With crisp passing on offense, the Redmen dominated the first half of the game before Harvard attempted what proved to be an unsuccessful comeback.

UMass jumped ahead to a 5-0 lead in the opening period and then notched six more goals in the next quarter, when Harvard tallied four times.

Steve Milliken and co-captain Bob Green each scored once to give the Crimson its first two goals. Attackman John Hagerty notched the next two before halftime, at which point the Redmen led, 11.4.

The Crimson bounced back in the third quarter, outscoring Umass 4-1. Hagerty tallied for the third time. Steve Leahy scored twice, and Milliken put in his second goal of the afternoon to narrow thew Redmen's lead to 12-9.

In the last quarter, UMass notched two goals and Hagerty tallied once for Harvard to make the final score 14-9.

Yesterday's match was the Crimson's best of the season. the offense, which has been weak in previous games, scored eight of Harvard's none goals firing 34 shots on net.

In the last half of the game, the Crimson defense played as a unit for the first time this year, effectively using for the first time this year, effectively using man-to-man coverage to stifle the Umass attack.

"Today's game really gave the players a lift. They played some good lacrosse in the second half, and now they realize that they can perform better than they have in previous matches," Coach Bruce Monro said.

Yesterday's victory gives UMass a 5-2 record. The Redmen have scored an impressive 90 goals this season, while giving up only 37.

Harvard is currently 1-5, with a win over Williams and losses to Navy. Rutgers, Penn, Princeton and UMass.

The Crimson plays its next game this Saturday at Brown, facing the team which swept the Ivy League last year.