Second-Half Slide Sinks M. Lax, 10-7

Despite getting out a fast start and playing its strongest lacrosse of the season in the first quarter, the Harvard men's lacrosse team fell to Ivy League rival Brown yesterday 10-7 at Ohiri Field.

The Crimson (3-5, 1-2 at Ivy) led 6-3 at the half, but allowed five unanswered goals in the third quarter that proved insurmountable. BROWN  10 HARVARD  7

Sophomore Roger Buttle led Harvard with two goals and assist, while junior Lawson DeVries also contributed two goals and junior Geoff Watson registered two assists.

Jed DeWick and Michael Monfett led Brown, scoring three goals each for the day. Brown also made better use of penalty opportunities, scoring on 3-of-6 opportunities, whereas Harvard only converted 1-of-5.

"It was a game of two halves," Harvard Coach Scott Anderson said. "We played well in the first, but didn't do what we talked about for the second Penalties, turnovers, and lack of possession mane the difference."

Harvard got out to a fast start behind a patient and well-balanced offensive attack. Sophomore Adam McGown won the opening face-off, which set up a quick tally by Buttles.

Minutes later, freshman standout Michael Baly scored an unassisted goal, showing his characteristic quickness by shaking off a defender in the crease.

Buttles kept the momentum going for Harvard, setting up DeVries for the third Crimson goal of the quarter.

Harvard dominated play throughout the first frame, with captain Ethan Oberman and Jeff Psaki leading a defense that held Brown to only four shots.

Brown's only offensive success came on a Harvard penalty late in the quarter, but Watson answered back with a buzzer-beating goal to give the Crimson a 4-1 lead after the first quarter.

"The first quarter was the best lacrosse we've played all year," Watson said.

The second quarter was more balanced, with both teams scoring two goals. Brown built momentum early on, scoring two consecutive goals off some nifty passing and last breaks.

After Todd McNamara scored make it 4-2, Monefett scored his first of the day, finishing a sweet feed from brown's leading scorer Rob Lyle close to 4-3.

But sophomore goalkeeper Keith Cynar (18 saves) kept the bear attack at bay. Entering the contest, Cynar held the nation's third-best goals against average at .658.

Harvard fought back from the Brown rally with two goals of its own to increase its lead to 6-3. Buttles zipped a low shot past Brown keeper Strider Dickson (19 saves) off an assist from Watson. McGown scored unassisted with three minutes left, fighting his way through traffic to send Harvard into the half up three.

Unfortunately for the Crimson, Brown opened the second half with renewed intensity and toughness, and reeled off five unanswered goals.

Monfett scored off the opening face-off as Brown stepped up the pressure the defensive half. Harvard was unable to maintain possession of the ball, and Brown capitalized on the ball, and Brown capitalized on the sloppy play for two more goals to make it 6-6.

Penalties also become a problem for the Crimson in the third quarter as a Brown went 2-for-3 in man-advantage situations.

Brown went ahead for good when Scott Banarjee picked up a loose ball in the crease and slammed it past Cynar.

"We just came out slow in the third and it's tough to come from penalties," Watson said.

The final quarter brought more of the same for the Harvard squad. Growing frustrated by the physical Brown defense, Harvard attackers began to rush the net individually instead of working the perimeter for open shots.

"We work so hard to get everyone involved in the offense, but it's hard to get clicking on all eight cylinders," Watson said.

The Crimson managed few shots from close range, scoring only once in the final period, when sophomore Dana Sprong put home a feed from playmaker Watson.

"We just shot poorly in the second half," Anderson said.

Brown continued to roll, containing the Harvard attack and scoring two more goals off defensive let-downs. As time wound down, Brown was able to kill time off thee clock and seals the victory.

Anderson said that as a young team, Harvard must learn to play well in both halves.

"We don't have that one go-to scorer, and with it being a challenge to score goals we need a solid game in both halves to win," Anderson said.

Harvard has no time to dwell on the loss, however, as it heads to perennial powerhouse Princeton Saturday. The Tigers (4-3) have won four straight Ivy titles and 22 consecutive league games.

"Princeton is as weak as they've ever been and we have a good shot at winning" Watson said. BROWN, 10-7 at Ohri Field Brown  1  2  5  2  --  10 Harvard  4  2  0  1  --  7 G:Brown--Monfett 3, DeWick 2, Sullivan 2, Gallagher, Banarjee, McNamara; Harvard--Devries 2, Buttles 2, Baly, McGowan, Sprong. A:Brown--DeWick2, Banarjee, Gallagher, Lyle, Monfett, Sheridan; Harvard--Baly, Christian, DeVries, Buttles, Watson. S:Brown--Dickson 19; Harvard--Cynar 18.