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Kyle Weber scored three unanswered goals to start a decisive 6-0 run in the third quarter of Bates' 14-9 win over Middlebury, April 11, 2015. (File photo by Kim Lloyd/Bates College)
9
Middlebury MIDMLAX 10-3, 6-2
14
Winner Bates BAT 8-4, 5-4
Middlebury MIDMLAX
10-3, 6-2
9
Final
14
Bates BAT
8-4, 5-4
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Middlebury MIDMLAX 2 1 2 4 9
Bates BAT 2 4 7 1 14

Game Recap: Men's Lacrosse |

Red-hot men's lax topples No. 7 Middlebury, 14-9

LEWISTON, Maine -- The Bates Bobcats continued turning Division III lacrosse on its ear Saturday with their second historic victory of the week, 14-9 over No. 7 nationally ranked Middlebury at Garcelon Field.

Four days after they dealt top-ranked Tufts its first loss since 2013, the red-hot Bobcats defeated their NESCAC rival Panthers for the first time ever, in 28 meetings.

Bates sophomore Charlie Fay (Falmouth, Maine) scored four first-half goals and sophomore Kyle Weber (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) tallied three unanswered goals in the third quarter to start a decisive 6-0 run. Sophomore Andrew Melvin (Medfield, Mass.) had three goals and three assists to pace the Bobcats (8-4, 5-4 NESCAC), who won their fourth straight NESCAC game.

Senior captain Jack Strain (Montclair, N.J.) scored twice on Bates' senior day, and senior captain Conor Henrie (Lexington, Mass.) added a goal and an assist. Sophomore Jake Walsh (Baltimore, Md.) contributed one goal and two assists.

"We are getting contributions and points from many sources," said Lasagna. "Andrew Melvin was terrific today, as was Jack Strain. Jack Allard demands so much attention, it helps open things up for teammates.

"That was the most fun we've had on senior day in a while. I think we were all rubbing our eyes a little in that third-quarter run."

The NESCAC's second-stingiest defense in goals allowed (8.83 per game) followed up its virtuoso performance against Tufts with another stellar effort in front of junior goalie Joe Faria (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.), who made nine saves, including several spectacular stops and a kick save. Sophomore Fred Ulbrick (Fairfield, Conn.) had six ground balls and caused one turnover; junior Colby Spehler (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.) had three ground balls and two caused turnovers; sophomore Stefano Stadlinger (Summit, N.J.) forced two turnovers and put the clamps on Middlebury attacker Henry Riehl, and junior Ken O'Friel (Scarsdale, N.Y.) forced one turnover with two ground balls.

"The defense got stops and caused turnovers early, and that kept the Panthers from establishing any kind of rhythm," said Lasagna.

Bates' transition game was nearly flawless, and the Bobcats were successful on 23 of 24 clear attempts.

Jon Broome led Middlebury (10-3, 6-2 NESCAC) with three goals, and Tim Giarrusso added two. 

Fay scored the last of his three second-quarter goals with 5:26 to go, and the Bobcats held a 6-3 lead at the half. Bates then outscored Middlebury 7-2 in the third quarter, including a 6-0 run that gave the Bobcats a game-high nine-goal lead at 13-4, with 3:07 to go in the third.

Middlebury outscored Bates 4-1 in the fourth quarter to close the final gap to 14-9.

Sophomore Sam Francis (Newburyport, Mass.) won 13 of 26 faceoffs with six ground balls and one assist, a beautiful loop over the Middlebury defense sent to an open Strain after controlling a third-quarter faceoff. "Sam Francis played a whale of a game facing off against John Jackson," said Lasagna. "His assist in that third-quarter run was inspiring." Lasagna credited Francis's fellow midfielders -- junior Matt Proto (Chatham, N.J.), who had four ground balls, and senior Steven Hild (West Hartford, Conn.) -- with keeping Middlebury's talented midfielders in check.

The Bobcats outshot the Panthers 44-35, and Middlebury committed 23 turnovers to Bates' 15. 

Fay has scored 21 goals in the past five games, all against NESCAC opponents. He has scored 23 goals in all since missing the first six games of the season.

Bates, which now has its most victories since the 2006 team that finished 9-5, finishes the regular season with a home game against Colby on April 22 at 4pm. 

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