February 21 – The Notre Dame de Namur lacrosse team improved to 2-0 on the season with a hard fought 7-6 battle against instate rival Whittier College. Junior goalie Matthew Coric was huge in the net for the Argos, making 13 saves including five in fourth quarter.

The Argos started off the game strong, taking a 1-0 lead with 10:57 left in the first on a goal by Greg Bearson. The Poets tied it up a few minutes later before Drew Comeau and Nick Campo scored back-to-back goals to give NDNU a 3-1 advantage. Whittier would cut the lead in half in the final second when Matt Mulry ripped a goal from the right side.

The second quarter was all Poets as the visitors tallied the only two score to take a 4-3 lead into halftime. However, NDNU came out strong after the break with Campo evening the score at 4-4 with 13:15 left in the period. Ryan Hulsey then gave the lead back but it would not last long as Anthony Lackey once again knotted the game.

Less than one minute later, Campo struck again to give the Argos a 6-5 lead heading into the fourth period. A Whittier penalty in the final second of the third came back to haunt them in the fourth as Conrad Clevlen gave the Argos a cushion just 13 second in the final period.

Neither team could add any goals until the final minute when Daniel McQuade gave Whittier one final chance by cutting the deficit to one with 57 second remaining. Clevlen then won the biggest face-off of the game as the Argos held on to preserve the victory.

Whittier held a 30-26 shot advantage on the Argonauts while NDNU held a 30-21 advantage in groundballs. The Argos also led in face-offs 8-6 an converted 2 of 3 extra-man opportunities.

Campo again led the Argos in points with four as he finished with three goals and one assist. Helsey added a goal and two assists while Bearson tallied one of each. Clevlen and Comeau tacked on a goal apiece with Clevlen winning 6 of 11 face-offs. Cory Upshaw picked up a game high seven groundballs.

McQuade and Lackey each recorded two goals and assist for Whittier to lead the offense. Ben Brown was stout in net for the Poets with 11 saves.

The Argos are back in action next Saturday when they face Dominican University at Koret Field.

2009-02-21