Perhaps it was the luck of the Irish, or maybe it was a little leftover Easter present, but Notre Dame was able to find a way to edge out Dartmouth in a come-from-behind nailbiter yesterday afternoon, winning 14-13.
Dartmouth dominated the early goings of the game, but Notre Dame consistently chipped away at the Big Green lead and pulled ahead in the final two minutes.
The game was not supposed to be very close between the 11thranked Fighting Irish and 20thranked Big Green.
The game was not supposed to be high scoring because Notre Dame had allowed an average of six points per game in its previous seven games.
The game was not supposed to be played because of the frozen tundra of Memorial Field.
However, it seemed that Dartmouth either did not know or did not care about these factors as it proceeded to jump on Notre Dame in the first half of the game.
Scott Hapgood '97 opened up the scoring with the patented Hapgood two-step. After exchanging a pair of early goals Dartmouth took advantage of several man-up and transition opportunities to build a solid 8-3 lead at halftime.
Dartmouth, who is always a good host, demonstrated its respect for the scriptures when its offense worked in mysterious ways. Besides the usual suspects on offense, long-stick defenseman Dangerous Dan Gans '98 (1 goal) and Justin Boyd '96 (2 goals) each contributed to the offense.
Dartmouth also found help from the bench with George Wisecarver '99 (2 goals) and Tim Caban '96 (1 goal) providing extra firepower for the Big Green.
Notre Dame used its ball control offense to wear down Dartmouth's defense. Although Dartmouth never let down, Notre Dame narrowed the margin by consistently working the ball and from strong offensive play by midfielders Anthony Reid and J.T. Tremonte.
Dartmouth kept pace with Notre Dame, as they exchanged scores throughout most of the fourth period. Between the posts, Dartmouth's Ned Hazard '96 and Notre Dame's Alex Cade seemed to find divine inspiration as they repeatedly came up with point-blank saves. In one of his finest games in green Hazard denied several would-be Notre Dame goal-scorers.
Notre Dame tied the game at 11 with 10:56 remaining in the game. Dartmouth would not give up, however. Tim Kennedy '96 showed his fondness for the story of David and Goliath as he swirled, cut, dove and cruised his way through the giant Notre Dame defense en route to the Big Green's 12th goal.
Unfortunately, as the lacrosse gods giveth, they also take away. Notre Dame responded with two unassisted goals by Anthony Reid and James Keenan. On a Dartmouth fast break, Tom Scott '96 scored the tying goal to set up the climactic ending.
Hazard made, not one, not two, but three one-on-one saves in the final five minutes of play.
With 1:22 remaining in the game, Notre Dame's Chris Dusseau pierced Hazard's Iron Curtain style goal-keeping with the final goal of the game. Dartmouth could not get the ball back on offense, and after two questionable no-calls by the referee and a failed last-second Hail-Mary pass, the game was over with a 14-13 score in favor of Notre Dame.
