Wesleyan Holds On to Defeat Tufts in Men's Lacrosse First Round
Courtesy Wesleyan Sports Information
MIDDLETOWN, Conn. - In a virtual replay of the game the two teams fashioned in Middletown four days ago, Wesleyan hung on after building up a large early lead to defeat Tufts. This time the score was 9-7 and the venue was a NESCAC first-round tournament game.
Today Wesleyan bolted out to a 7-1 lead at intermission as senior Chris Knacke had four goals and junior Jordan Funt added two goals and an assist. Sophomore goalie Charlie Congleton made nine stops in the opening 30 minutes.
Wesleyan scored the opening two goals of the second half to forge a 9-1 lead with 9:08 left in the third period. From that point it was all Tufts as the Jumbos scored the final six goals with junior Mike O'Brien netting two and dishing off an assist while senior Bryan Griffin had a goal and two assists during the run.
The onslaught started with senior Devin Clarke's team-leading 28th goal of the year and ended at 12:32 of the fourth period when junior Michael Hughes found the net. But Congleton, who finished with a career-high 22 saves, made seven saves in the fourth period including two in the final 1:15 of the game to preserve the victory and send Wesleyan into the NESCAC semi-finals at Middlebury Sat., May 7, facing Amherst. Middlebury hosts Bates in the other semi-final. Wesleyan defeated Amherst, 10-8, during the regular season.
