After returning from an undefeated spring trip to Florida, the Irish Lacrosse Club were understandably looking forward to the start of the upcoming season. However, opponents Bowling Green, Michigan State, and the northern Indiana weater all slowed the stickmen down as the Irish lost their first two games this past weekend at the Stepan Fields.
LaCrosse team drops two
The Irish opened their season against Bowling Green, last year's Midwest Varsity Division Champion.
Bowling Green lost no time in starting the defense of that title as they opened the scoring early in the first quarter. Notre Dame lost no time in coming back as leading scorer Fedele Volpe scored on an assist from Don "Motor" Trabert. Bowling Green then jumped ahead 3-1 on two quick goals, one by Vern Zabek, the Falcon's All-American candidate. With five minutes left in the half, Irish attackman Joe Meares fed freshman midfielder Mark Connelly perfectly for a "quickstick" that resulted in an Irish goal. Four minutes later, senior midfielder Steve Tarnow scored to knot the halftime score at 3-3.
The Irish probably wish they hadn't come out for the third quarter as Bowling Green ran off four unanswered goals, two of which were set up beautifully by Zabek. Although Volpe would score two more goals in the fourth quarter, the Falcons kept on rolling as they pulled away to a 10-5 decision.
Sunday's game with Michigan State was a contest which could have gone either way, but found the Spartans on top at the end, 7-5. Once again, it was close at half-time as the Irish held a small 3-2 lead, but State proceeded to score the next five goals as they pulled away to a 7-3 lead. Two late goals provided the final count.
The Irish "B" tam also opened their season this weekend with the results the same as the "A" team. Playing on an incredibly sloppy field, they dropped a close decision to Albion 4-3. Two goals by co-captain Rich Kreslock gave the Irish an early lead, but the Britons scored the next four goals before Tom Mouch hit the nets again for N.D.
The stickmen resume their schedule this weekend as the "A" tam takes on the Columbus LaCrosse Club and the "B" team meets Lake Forest College.