Courtesy Wesleyan Sports Information

ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Wesleyan squandered a 6-0 first quarter lead, but fought back with five fourth quarter goals and clutch defense to defeat Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers (15-3) 11-8 in the 2006 NCAA Division III Men’s Lacrosse Championship Second Round game at RIT Field.

Wesleyan advances to the NCAA Quarterfinals for the second-straight season and will play Geneseo St. on Wednesday.

RIT held Wesleyan scoreless over a span of 32 minutes while rallying for six goals of its own as the teams headed into the final 15 minutes deadlocked at 6-6. Senior middie Glenn Adams circled around the RIT goal and first one high into the net to spot Wesleyan a 7-6 edge just 1:37 into the final frame, the Cardinals first goal in nearly 34 minutes. It was Adams third goal of the contest.

RIT countered with a junior Scott Farress goal less than a minute later. Senior attacker Mike Vitulano broke the tie for Wesleyan with his 26th goal of the season, quick-sticking a pinpoint pass from behind the net by Adams to spot Wesleyan an 8-7 lead at 11:14 it would not relinquish.

Goals by first-years Jason Ben-Eliyahu (10:53) and Russ Follansbee (8:05) followed in short order for a 10-7 lead and the teams traded goals for an 11-8 final score.

Adams finished with three goals and two assists for Wesleyan, improving his seasonal point total to 59 and his career mark to 197. Senior Zach Bednarz led RIT with a pair of goals and two assists.