So Close

GAMBIER, Ohio (May 11, 2006) The Widener University Pioneers held off the final Kenyon College Lords' momentum surge Wednesday and escaped McBride Field with an 11-9 victory in the first round of the NCAA Division III lacrosse tournament.

With a 9-7 advantage, Widener called a time out to organize its offense late in the fourth quarter. The strategy paid off with two quick goals over the next sixty seconds. Those two goals proved to be the difference, although the Lords made the contest interesting it the final moments.

With just under two minutes left in the contest. Widener called their final time out to set up its defense, but freshman Devin Catlin stole the ball, and weaved his way through the Pioneer defense. He scorched a shot, finding the back of the net and moving the Lords to within three at 11-8 with just 1:43 remaining.

KC kept the pressure on, pulling to within two just 18 seconds later on a goal from senior Sean O'Neill, which was assisted by sophomore Nate Pritchard. Time then ran out for the Lords, as they weren't able to score again and fell by the final 11-9 count.

In the early stages of the contest, Widener rode the first wave of momentum, and took a 3-0 lead after fifteen minutes. The Lords, just as they had done all year, came back early in the second quarter and knotted the match up at three. The three goals were scored by juniors Luke Larson and Adam Lucas along with Catlin. WU scored three of the next four goals before the half, and took a 6-4 lead into the intermission.

Kenyon outscored the Pioneers in the third period by one (2-1), but surrendered the two early fourth-quarter Widener scores and was never able to recover.

Senior Brad Harvey along with Larson and Catlin each found the back of the net twice for the Lords, while five other Kenyon players tallied goals in the tough loss. Pritchard added two assists, along with sophomore goalie Charlie Floeckher who added eleven saves between the pipes for the Lords.

Widener was led by three goals and an assist from Alan Krawitz, while Todd Fairlie chipped in with a goal and four assists.

Kenyon, making their second NCAA postseason appearance, finished the season with an 11-4 mark, while Widener moves to 13-4. The Pioneers advance in the NCAA tournament to take on the No. 2 Gettysburg College Bullets on Saturday afternoon.