Last Week...
At Fairfield University...
Denver-Fairfield was a fight to the finish for two valiant teams...
The Swami reports on a wild night under the lights at Lessing Field...
When hobbled Denver goalie Brian Sanders was assisted off the field in the third quarter, a part of his team limped off with him. Sanders, who had led the Pioneers through much of an undefeated league campaign, incurred a season ending injury in a game against Notre Dame on April 7th. But, last weekend, he had to be inserted when starting net minder Jeb Hollingsworth was flagged for slashing with only 2:35 remaining in the third period. Now a man up, Fairfield, which took advantage of Denver's propensity for penalties all night (4 for 7 on EMO), had scored when Sanders' heavily braced knee did not allow him to reach to his right. That goal, by the Stags' Mike Bocklet on a clever assist from Travis Nelson, tied the game, 5-5. Denver would never lead again.

Everyone knew that this would be the most hotly contested game of the week. The Great Western Lacrosse League's title had gone down to the last game once again. The winner would make the NCAA Tournament, and the loser would go home. Both teams were primed for this one.

If this game had a problem, it was that the anxiousness everyone expected both teams to bring to the field early in the game never quite left--and that was true even into the contest's dying moments. No one in their right mind would want to be the official scorer in this scrap fest. There were 79 ground balls in this match, many of which were unforced, including six during a stretch of only 1:07.

Within eight seconds of the opening face-off, Denver was flagged for slashing and, 12 seconds later, Fairfield was on the board with a doorstep goal from Travis Nelson on a feed from behind the goal generated by Matt Castele.

Denver sophomore tender Jeb Hollingsworth would have no chance on shots like this. The Pioneer defense would have to do a better job boxing out if Denver wanted to prevail in this game.

Less that a minute later, Fairfield's Greg Downing (later named the GWLL Offensive Player of the Year), would intercept a Denver clearing pass with a spectacular one-hand snatch to break up a Pioneer offensive opportunity. Amazingly, Downing did the same thing again almost exactly 60 seconds later. Downing carried the attack to the Denver goal, but his shot went wide. Fairfield had it backed up and scored on the restart when Kyle Herman took a feed from Josh Thornton and, once again, was allowed to work his way in too close. Hollingsworth had no chance.

Fairfield was harassing Denver mercilessly on clears, and the Pioneers could not settle down.

In the meantime, it was obvious that Fairfield had crafted a plan to neutralize one of the best shooters in Division I lacrosse.

Denver attacker Matt Brown, who has all the moves that are implied by his Canadian pedigree, came into the game shooting .537 with 35 goals. Brown has managed to put an amazing 75% of his shots on goal this season. But, this night, Brown was shut off by reserve A/M Jake Olson. Olson would stay in Brown's face all evening, limiting him to only three shots and a single goal.

Another surprise: Fairfield's team captain Tom Werney, who tore his ACL for a third time earlier in the year, had been used sparingly, largely on man up situations since his most recent injury. A starter in the first four games, Werney's action was limited to mere minutes in the next five contests. But, against Denver, the fifth year senior, playing in what might have been his last game, was inserted into the starting lineup. It was a daring gamble by Fairfield head coach Ted Spencer.

Shut out in the first quarter, Denver began the second with possession of the ball. Within two minutes, the Pioneers set a nice screen for Scott Davidson whose running shot barely beat Stag goalie Michael Kruger. Denver was finally on the board.

But the Pioneers were still being beat badly in the face-off circle by Charles Keinath, and lost the next one too.

Fairfield struck again with a left-handed bouncer from nine yards out on the right side that looked like it may have scooted through Hollingsworth's legs. The shooter? The wounded Tom Werney.

Greg Downing's defense continued to plague the Pioneers. At 9:05 he broke up another inbound pass. The ball eventually worked its way to Nick Lattimore, who unleashed a hard shot, but one which Hollingsworth stopped dead.

Denver attempted to clear the ball, but possession turned over relentlessly, as this game was being played increasingly in the middle of the field, with one team constantly turning it over to the other. Finally, Denver obtained possession and called timeout. Maybe Pioneer coach Jamie Munro could finally calm his team down a little.

The second period began to wind down and Denver had but a single goal, had won no face-offs and looked absolutely frenetic on the field. What little momentum there was in a game on constant turnovers, belonged to Fairfield.

Denver's defense was sliding so early it almost looked as if it was constantly double-teaming the ball carrier.

Now, with six minutes left in the half, Denver's defense seemed to settle down a bit. At 5:33 Fairfield's Josh Thornton sent a screamer to Denver's cage. Hollingsworth snuffed it. Now Denver was in Fairfield's face. A shot by Darren Sasaki-Scanlon was saved by Kruger, but Denver broke the Stags' clear. The goals at Fairfield's Lessing Field run close to east-west, and the setting sun was playing havoc with one of the goals and frustrating clearing passes for players who had to look back into it. Just several minutes before the half, the sun finally disappeared and the temperature seemed to drop 15° at the same time.

At 2:28 Fairfield's Mike Bocklet took a hard shot at Denver's goal, only to have it blocked by Hollingsworth, but it banged hard off his chest--a dangerous moment. Hollingsworth was staggered and Denver called a timeout shorty thereafter, but Hollingsworth would not come out.

Denver was beginning to exhibit some control, and after the timeout at 2:06, the Pioneers struck. Scott Davidson found Ryan Zordani open on the right side, and Zordani unleashed a ferocious side-winder from his right hand that rocked Fairfield's net. Denver had now closed to within a single goal as the half ended.

The Swami looked at his stats. Denver was looking uncharacteristically laggard in almost every department. The Pioneers were 0 for 6 in the face-off circle, and had managed only 13 shots in two quarters. Moreover, Fairfield had given up zero extra man opportunities, had shut off the Pioneers' top scorer Matt Brown completely, and was leading by a goal scored by a player who was supposed to be standing on the sideline nursing an injured knee.

It was clear that coach Munro had his job cut out for him in the Denver locker room. He had to calm this team down. The only consolation for Denver's frantic play was that Fairfield was also exhibiting near-manic tendencies. This game, while closely contended, was sloppy and turnovers were rife.

When the second half opened, Tom Werney served notice that he was not on the field merely to take an occasional shot. He disrupted another Denver clear at 12:19--it was his second of the game. But Denver had finally won a face-off.

Fairfield took three shots on Denver's goal, the final of which was successful. It was another door stepper wrought from a busted clear when Mike Bocklet took a feed from Chris Manley and buried it. Fairfield 4, Denver 2.

The Pioneers won the ensuing face-off--their second in a row. Fairfield got possession on a ground ball, but threw it away. Denver was flagged for holding, but the Pioneer man down unit held. Possession seemed to swing wildly from one side to the other.

But, at 8:20 Pioneer Ryan Zordani came, counter-clockwise, from behind the crease and tucked in a goal from the crease line after shaking his defender. It was a good, controlled possession for Denver, and brought the Pioneers to within a goal, at 4-3.

Now Denver would win its third face-off. And Fairfield would draw its first penalty. Hey, nobody wants to mess with Denver on man up. The Pioneers, second in Division I, are shooting .444 on EMO. Seconds later, Greer Hanlon wound up with his left hand from 12 yards out and parked a beautiful low-to-high shovel shot in Fairfield's net.

The many Denver fans present, never out of this game, were now ecstatic. Midway through the third quarter, the game was tied at 4-4. Moreover, Denver was winning face-offs and showing a little more patience in controlling its possessions.

Now the Pioneers' Geoff Snider and Scott Davidson were on a tear at the face-off "X". Denver had just taken another draw, and the momentum clearly swung to the Pioneers.

After taking only four shots in the first period, Denver was now being Denver. The Pioneers were shelling Fairfield goalie Michael Kruger. First Geoff Snider, then Matt Brown, then Snider again. Snider's last shot was saved by Kruger, but Fairfield promptly turned it over. Adam Swain got off a shot at 4:55--another save, but Swain got the rebound and fired again--Kruger stopped it. Then, far out to Scott Davidson, who got off an underhand worm-burner from the right side, about 12 yards out that found the net. Denver had its first lead and the Pioneer fans went wild. Six shots in less than two minutes.

After his goal, Davidson won the face-off too. But time was winding down. The clock showed only 3:55 remaining in the third quarter. Denver had to keep its head.

Fifty-five seconds later, Matt Bocklet (brother to Mike) picked up a ground ball and took it to Denver's goal. Greg Downing took a shot for Fairfield that was barely wide. It was stopped while still in play, just behind the goal. Denver keeper Hollingsworth rolled out of the cage toward the ball, but was beaten by a hair by Stag Matt Castele. Hollingsworth hacked for the ball, hitting Castele in the process. He was flagged for a minute for slashing.

Brian Sanders, carried off the field at the end of the Notre Dame game with a season-ending injury had to be inserted in goal. He literally limped on to the field, his knee wrapped and braced. But Denver's defense allowed close penetration once again. The ball was passed quickly to Travis Nelson on the goalie's left. Sanders had him blocked. But, from the other side, Mike Bocklet had threaded his way open on the left. Nelson hit him quickly and Bocklet fired it immediately. Sanders' knee would not cooperate and he could not stop the shot. Fairfield had just tied the game again at 5-5.

The goal released Hollingsworth who was put back in goal, and Denver won the next face-off. But the clock now indicated there was under two minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Denver took three more shots by the end of the period, but none found the mark. Then, Fairfield drew its second penalty.

The penalty straddled the quarter, giving Denver automatic possession as the final frame began. But, this time, Fairfield held Denver's man up wrecking crew. The Stags had just dodged a bullet.

A scramble at Fairfield's goal just eight seconds into the fourth quarter left the net open momentarily. Denver shot--and missed! Oh, no! Worse, Denver was flagged again for slashing. Twelve seconds later, Tom Werney scored his second goal on EMO. Now Fairfield pushed out front again.

What small measure of composure that had visited Lessing Field in the third quarter was now cast aside. Within a minute Denver's Scott Davidson had picked up a ground ball and scored. It was perhaps the game's most artful goal. Davidson charged the cage, dodged two defenders while switching hands from right to left and dumped it in the net on the run from seven yards out. The game was now knotted at 6-6.

It looked like Denver was beginning to take command. Winning face-offs, beating the Stags to ground balls, and scoring with a continuous possession, the Pioneers might just be able to put this game out of reach.

If only the flags would stop flying. Denver, once again, went down a man. This time Tom Werney did not waste any time. A jump shot, left-handed from about 11 yards out in the center scored. How did he do that on a torn ACL? 7-6, Fairfield.

One minute later, Denver's Scott Davidson showed why he is such a dangerous player. Eluding three different defenders, he fired a perfect feed to teammate Greer Hanlon, who scored to tie the game at 7-7.

Hey, this was nothing. There was still 11:21 showing on the clock.

Fairfield won the next face-off, but seconds later it was in Denver's hands on the way to Fairfield's cage again. Pioneer Matt Brown, effectively face-guarded all night, was inexplicably open on the crease. How dangerous is that? Denver missed the feed. Loud groans from the Denver fans. A fatal mistake.

And, to make matters worse, it was not long before Denver was penalized again. Yes. Pioneer Attackman Adam Miller was sent to the box for pushing Fairfield midfielder Chris Manley, but the play unfolded right in front of the Swami. Manley put on an excellent performance in drawing a call that should never have been made. Fortunately, for the Pioneers, righteousness prevailed, and Fairfield was unable to score on this EMO, but the Stags burned precious moments off the clock.

The game was now headed into new, and even wilder, territory. Between 10:46 and 10:40--a span of only six seconds, there were three alternate possessions called on three separate ground balls. The Swami was thankful that Richie Meade was not coaching either of these teams, for the massive stroke it would have induced would have been his demise.

Seven ground balls later, Kyle Herman scored for Fairfield on a low right-handed shot that was literally golfed into the goal from the right side. It put Fairfield up 8-7.

Desperation soon set in for Denver when, at 4:51, Herman found Greg Downing open in the center of the field, slightly to the right side. Downing fired a real burner that Hollingsworth could not stop. There was still time for Denver, but the Pioneers would have to maintain possession in order to make up the two goal deficit with what little time was left. And neither of these teams had really managed to maintain any real degree of control all evening.

But, in this game, everyone present knew that anything could happen. And anything did happen--just 50 seconds later.

Matt Brown scored left-handed for Denver on a goal that looked like he may have pushed through a stick check. It was Denver's leading scorer's first goal of the night. But did it arrive too late?

Fairfield called a timeout, then won the next face-off. This could be it for the Pioneers. But not if close defender David Hahn had anything to say about it. In one of the most dramatic plays of the game, Hahn got his long stick up with tremendous extension and broke Fairfield's possession. Now Denver had a chance. There was still 3:17 left on the clock.

As Denver took the ball to the other end, Fairfield was whistled for being offside. Now, with more than three minutes left, one of the best EMO units in Division I was going to see some action. Fairfield had only had two penalties called so far, and Denver was one for two on those opportunities. The Swami looked at his score book. Denver still had two time outs left. This was a great time to use one. But the Pioneers played on.

Denver took at shot at 2:40 but it was off the mark, and there was no backup! Horrors! The ball reverted to Fairfield--but only momentarily. The Stags coughed it up almost immediately and Denver went on offense again. By this time, however, the 30 second penalty had expired.

At 2:18 Pioneer Adam Miller took a shot, but Kruger saved it in spectacular fashion and began the Stags' clear. But Miller blocked the clear and got control. Denver called a timeout.

Whew! This was a game. By now, all the fans for both teams had been standing for some time. The noise level had been rising all quarter.

Now, Denver had a play. The Pioneers moved the ball crisply. Maybe we would be headed for overtime.

In what seemed an eternity, but was actually only about 20 seconds, the ball found Ryan Zordani--and he was open. Zordani fired a scorcher. This one was not going to be stopped by any goalie.

A pipe shot!

The ball caromed out to Matt Bocklet, who took it upfield for Fairfield. The clock was ticking down relentlessly. But Fairfield knew no team had been able to maintain possession this night and did the wise thing--shoot. Greg Downing's shot was wide and Rory Shepard picked up the ball for Denver. In just six seconds Scott Davidson fired a missile over the head of Michael Kruger. Fairfield got the rebound but could not hold possession, as Denver's Brett Koll scooped it up. Then the ball was knocked to the ground once more where the Stags' Matt Bocklet brought it upfield and passed to Greg Downing. But Downing was immediately besieged by several Denver defenders. He was about to lose control when the Fairfield bench called a critical timeout preserving what would almost surely have been another turnover.

The game was down to its final 20.7 seconds--just enough time for Fairfield to let it tick off.

But, no! Fairfield lost possession on the inbound play and Denver had the ball with seven seconds left.

The fans gasped for air. But Denver did not have enough time. This game was over.

The Swami never thought it would end.

Tom Werney, playing on his third torn ACL, and limping all over the field, had scored a hat trick--an heroic performance. Fairfield's squad honored its senior players in a brief ceremony before the game--all three of them. Thirty-two of Fairfield's players are freshmen and sophomores.

Final Score: Fairfield 9, Denver 8.
swami@laxswami.com


At Ohio State...
Is Army too pooped for the playoffs?...
Ted Collier reports from Columbus...
I rolled into Columbus expecting to see one of the premier athletic plants in America, and that's what I found. Unfortunately, the Ohio State-Army lacrosse game was not played in Ohio State's normal lax venue, Jesse Owens Memorial Field, because that spectacular facility was hosting the 20th Jesse Owens Track Classic with hundreds of high school, collegiate, and professional athletes competing (throughout the lax game we would hear race calls and awards announcements from the booming PA system). Instead, Army faced Ohio State on the North Turf Field, perhaps the only substandard facility on the OSU campus. The surface looked to be a tired, hard old-style Astroturf and seating for about 1,000 was in the kind of stands high schools provide for the visiting team's fans.

Before entering the "stadium", I wandered among the people setting up the tailgates for Ohio State and Army. The OSU group, camped right outside the locker rooms, was glum because they were wrapping up a disappointing season that stood at 5-8 going into this last game. This from a team coming off a 12-4 record in 2004, a Great Western Conference Championship, and a NCAA Tournament appearance.

The Army tailgate was banished 200 yards away to the grass margin of the Jesse Owens Field parking lot, surrounded by dozens of high school track team tents. There I found the Army parents and fans, who--judging by the banners and signs--were to be feted by the West Point Association of Ohio and the West Point Parents Club of Central Ohio. They were just as glum as the OSU contingent. Army was 2-3 in their last five games after a nine game win streak from their second through their tenth games. I heard Army parents lamenting several key injuries and an "overwhelming academic week" just passed. The Army fans and parents lacked swagger and sounded decidedly apprehensive. (Noticing that the Ohio folks didn't seem to know any of the Army lax people, and vice versa, I resolved to revisit this tailgate after the game to chow down).

Once inside the North Turf Field gate I mounted to the not very high top row. I could not help but notice an immaculate grass field and a full FieldTurf field side-by-side immediately behind the stands (not to mention the full sized indoor field inside the adjacent Woody Hayes Athletic Center). Neither of the two practice fields had stands, but either would have been a vast improvement over North Turf Field.

After a brief ceremony honoring OSU's six seniors, the game got under way. I had seen neither team, but had read up on them when Swami asked me to cover the game. I was eager to see Army's junior attack All America candidate John Walker and the large number of Ohio players on the Buckeye roster. Ohio is becoming a prime recruiting ground for many schools, and Ohio State should have the inside track on local talent.

Army won the opening face-off on a procedure penalty (for the day, I believe over a third of the face-offs were decided by an official's call). Army wasn't able to accomplish much on offense and eventually turned the ball over. OSU cleared the ball and less than two minutes into the game junior midfielder and Wooster, OH native Andrew Bender beat his defender and Army's freshman keeper Adam Fullerton. Where was the slide? Army looked lethargic and I started to understand why their fans had been apprehensive.

For the next five minutes, play went back and forth with neither team able to assert itself. Teams were getting shots, but they weren't falling. I don't believe the official score keepers saw the same game I did in terms of goalie play. The box score showed Fullerton and OSU freshman keeper Mike Rimmer with one save each in the quarter, but I had each with three. Rimmer, especially, seemed unbeatable low.

Finally, John Walker exploded past his man and the double and beat Rimmer to tie the game.

Just over a minute later Army senior attackman and team captain Jim Wagner found junior midfielder Mike Obringer (back from a "season ending" dislocated shoulder suffered just nineteen days earlier at Holy Cross), and Army was up 2-1. They seemed to be finding an offensive rhythm and were getting shots, but the cadets seemed determined to shoot low. Wagner fired two low-to-low rockets that Rimmer handled easily (despite what the box score says). Still, Army seemed on the verge of taking control.

Then, with just under two minutes left in the period, OSU freshman middie Kevin Buchanan beat his D-mid and scored to tie the contest at 2-2. Again, where was the slide?

On the ensuing face-off, Army senior FOGO Eric Mineo controlled the draw, but instead of scooping the ball, he tried to bat it to one of his teammates in the offensive end. An OSU defenseman intercepted the ball and initiated a break to gigantic sophomore middie (6' 5", 225 lb.) Jason Lutz who penetrated the Army transition defense and beat Fullerton. In twenty-eight seconds, OSU had snatched back the lead.

Army's other FOGO, 5' 5", 190-lb. junior Tony Vozzolo, controlled the draw and the Army attack got the ball to Obringer coming in from the substitution box. He carried the ball behind and quickly found Wagner who, for one of the few times all day, was alone to Rimmer's left. This time Wagner went low-to-high and the quarter ended 3-3.

Army started the second quarter on fire, scoring twice in the first two minutes, and for the second time seemed ready to take over the game. First Walker found senior midfielder Chris Larsen and then Wagner, playing opposite his normal station to the goalie's left, fed Walker. But that was it for Army. They managed only four more shots in the quarter, only one of which was on cage.

The Buckeyes, on the other hand, were smoking. They generated sixteen shots, but Fullerton was standing on his head with nine saves--some spectacular (the box score says eight). He shut them out and the half ended 5-3 Army. Despite the score, it seemed only a matter of time until OSU's shooters would break through on Fullerton. Also, ominously for Army fans, the cadets were starting to have serious problems clearing the ball. Even when a long stick managed to carry the ball into the offensive zone, OSU would shut off the attack and cause a turnover. It was a matter of bad decisions and players being just a step behind where they apparently ought to be.

The third quarter was a wild up and down affair with Army taking seventeen shots and OSU eight, half of which Fullerton saved. However, he was upstaged by Rimmer who made, by my count, eleven saves in the quarter (box score says nine), many on very good shots. Army insisted on shooting low and Rimmer ate up everything they dished out. They got nothing past him. Army's problem with clears was getting worse, and at 4:40 to go OSU finally made them pay when junior middie Josh Whittenberg of Hudson, Ohio fed Columbus native sophomore attackman Ben Drake to bring OSU within one at 5-4. That's how the quarter ended.

Despite their lead, Army seemed to be in serious trouble. They had not scored in nearly twenty-seven minutes despite taking twenty-one shots over that span. They couldn't clear the ball or sustain possessions.

Army junior midfielder Jon Burton's unassisted goal on a high-to-high shot gave the cadets a glimmer of hope just over two minutes into the fourth quarter. But Army blew four clears or turned the ball over immediately in the offensive end four times over the next five and a half minutes. The Buckeyes turned three of these miscues into goals to take a 7-6 lead. First, sophomore attackman Jon DeCanio scored at 9:48.

Two minutes later, senior captain attackman Tom Randisi fed junior attackman Ben Wolff and just twenty-four seconds after that senior attackman Kyle Olson from Upper Arlington fed Wolff again.

Army has escaped these situations before during this season, and they tried to turn up the intensity yet again. Over the second half of the fourth quarter, they out ground-balled the Buckeyes for the first time all day and generally were throwing their bodies around in greater and greater desperation. But failed clears, turnovers, and poor decisions limited them to just four more shots. They sustained no long possessions.

At 2:30 to go, Rimmer made his one save of the quarter, but it was critical. There was a mad scramble for the rebound and senior cadet midfielder Jake Couch appeared to sweep the ball to open net, but someone kicked it away out of bounds. Couch chased the ball down to retain possession, but the opportunity had passed. Army soon turned the ball over and OSU settled down to run out the clock. Army tried to double and trap the ball, pulling Fullerton from the cage to shut off the open man, but at 1:47, Bender deftly slipped free and found the empty net with the clincher. OSU 8, Army 6.

There was to be more drama, though. Army appeared to score at :56, but the ball was outside the net. On the ensuing Ohio State clear, Wagner was called for a push with possession, and Army seemed to be toast. Nevertheless, Army's man down defense stole the ball and for once cleared successfully. Army called a timeout. After a missed shot burned time, Walker found sophomore middie Justin Bokmeyer who beat Rimmer high with just six seconds remaining.

Six seconds. Doable, the Army fans thought. They had done it before. . It came down the OSU FOGO (I think it was #2, sophomore Jon Rydberg, but I didn't get a clear look at the number and Rydberg split the draws with #21, classmate Eric O'Brien from Powell, Ohio). It was Mineo for Army (it's hard to confuse 5'11" Mineo and 5' 5" Vozzolo). Mineo controlled the draw but before he could scoop the ball, his Buckeye opponent alertly dove and slapped the ball away into an open area. Time expired. Final: Ohio State 8, Army 7.

Themes of the game? Great goalie play for both teams. Great hustle for Ohio State, especially in their riding game. They seemed to know where the Army players would be and then beat them there. Lethargic play from Army for the first 52:30 of the game. Serious clearing problems for Army. Poor shooting for Army, or poor shot selection.

As we filed out of the "stadium" and past the Buckeye tailgate, the congregation seemed muted as had the players' celebration after the game. Six and eight is not what this team had expected for their season.

Still, it's always better to go out winning than with yet another loss. The Ohio-bred players impressed me. Just in terms of scoring, they accounted for three goals and two assists. Also, Ohio State's long standing MIAA connection is alive and well, with three Calvert Hall alums (Randisi, Wolff, and Buchanan) contributing three goals and an assist. Ohio State is young and should improve in 2006.

I made good my plan to crash the Army tailgate and, sure enough, all the players and their parents thought I was from Ohio and all the Ohio folk thought I was with the team. There was quite a spread--wings, bratwurst, burgers, baked beans, pasta salads, fruit, cookies/brownies--about the only thing missing was booze, which the Army fans and parents looked as if they could use. It was clear that there would be plenty of food for me because neither the players in their spiffy white-shirt-over-gray-striped-trousers uniforms nor their parents seemed to have much appetite. (After I had my substantial fill, the Ohio hosts eventually invited the nearby track athletes to finish off the food.)

This was a dispirited Army group, contemplating the impact of the loss on their NCAA Tournament prospects, and worrying even more about the team's ability to recapture it's mid-season form even if they were to be selected. In its last six games, Army has been out scored 39-24 in the second half. And they won two of those games, albeit in overtime. Judging by the number of players at the tailgate with ice bags on one part of their body or another, this is a beat-up team. Walker is a transcendent talent, but the team as a whole is staggering. As I looked around, I wondered if they have a NCAA Tournament run in them.

Final Score: Ohio State 8, Army 6.
tedcollier@laxswami.com

This Week...
Lacrosse broadcast links...
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