Tiger Lacrosse Heating Up
by: Jarrod Ficklin ‘11Winning season and tough losses to nationall-ranked teams put H-SC on the map
The weather has certainly gotten hotter over the past few weeks, but so has the Hampden-Sydney Lacrosse team. Despite 4 losses on the season, the Tigers are starting to gain national recognition, moving up to a #20 national ranking. Typically, a 10-4 record would not result in coming close to the Top 20 poll; however, all 4 Tiger losses have come to teams ranked in the top 15. A boost in the Tigers’ résumé came in a road victory at #13 Washington & Lee, 13-10. On their hot streak, the Tigers have won nine of the last eleven, seven of the last eight. It is safe to say that the Tigers are certainly gaining momentum heading into the final games of the season.
The victory over the #13 Generals of Washington & Lee was a complete team effort. The Tigers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and controlled the momentum from the get-go. Micah Keller scored the first two goals of the game, and Ben Clarke notched the third. If not for a General goal with 13 seconds remaining in the opening quarter, the Tigers would have shutout the #13 team in the nation in the first quarter. Three General goals and four Tiger goals by Ryan Martin, Keller, Whit Kelley, and Clarke gave the Tigers a 7-4 lead at halftime. An even third quarter gave the Tigers a three-point lead heading into the final quarter. The Tigers exploded in the fourth quarter, scoring 4 of the first 5 goals, extending the lead 13-7. The Generals scored the last three goals of the game, but it wasn’t enough as the Tigers held on for a 13-10 upset on the road. On the day, the Tigers shot 50% and saw seven players scored (Clarke, Keller, Kyle Jett, Cole Hawthorne, Kelley, Martin, and Carter Mavromatis).
The Tigers could not ride the momentum of that win into their next contest against #14 Lynchburg falling to the Hornets 19-10. However, the Tigers earned their second ODAC win of the year downing Virginia Wesleyan 13-8 and followed that victory up with three blowout victories over Whittier and ODAC foes Randolph and Guilford. The Tigers jumped out to a 4-0 lead over the Virginia Wesleyan, but the Marlins fought back to tie the game 5-5 early in the second quarter. However, the Tigers would score six of the next seven goals, gaining a sizeable 11-6 lead heading into the fourth quarter and would eventually secure a 13-8 victory. The contest once again ended with seven different Tigers finding the back of the net (Keller, Nate Cundy, Jett, Mavromatis, Hawthorne, Clarke, and Kelley). The Tigers then blew-out Whittier, Randolph, and Guilford by a combined score of 51-17 (17-8 over Whittier, 15-1 over Randolph, and 19-8 over Guilford).
Because of its recent play, the Tiger Lacrosse team has moved up in the ODAC standings. Three straight ODAC wins have moved the Tigers into a 3rd place overall standing with a 4-2 conference record. The Tigers also lead the ODAC in three statistical categories: shooting percentage (35.4 %), man-up scoring percentage (48.5 %), and man-up goals per game (2.24).
On top of great team play, the Tigers have received great individual play. The Tigers’ leading scorer, Micah Keller, garnered ODAC Player of the Week honors. Keller has led the way for the Tigers over this win streak, especially in the games versus Virginia Wesleyan and Whittier. In those two games, Keller scored ten goals, dished out one assist, added four ground balls, and caused one turnover. The sophomore sensation leads the ODAC in two statistical categories: goals per game (3.0) and in man-up goals per game (0.73).
As of now, the Tigers are tied for third in the ODAC with Washington & Lee, behind Roanoke and Lynchburg. However, if the Tigers and Generals wind up with the same conference record, the tie breaker would favor Hampden-Sydney, giving the Tigers the #3 seed in the tournament. Washington & Lee plays at Lynchburg, and the Tigers play at Randolph-Macon to wrap up the regular season on April 24th. The first game of the ODAC tournament will be on Wednesday, April 28th. The Tigers will certainly look to ride their momentum into the ODAC Tournament in attempts to capture their fifth ODAC Championship and their first since 2001.
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