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BY LAUREN WALKER

In print | Published March 6, 2008

Swarthmore’s men’s lacrosse team kicked off its 2008 season in Ashland, Va., on Saturday with a win against Randolph-Macon College, defeating the Yellow Jackets 7-2.

The Garnet (1-0) didn’t waste any time after the first whistle blew, as Gavin Musynske ‘10 put an unassisted goal into the Yellow Jackets’ net just 3:19 into the game.

Before the end of the first quarter, Musynske found the back of the net again off an assist from Stelios Wilson ’09. After these two goals were netted, both teams went scoreless for the rest of the half, as the entire second quarter showed impressive defensive performances on both ends of the field.

After halftime, however, the Garnet stepped up the offensive power.

Before three minutes had passed, Wilson notched two more goals for the Garnet. The first came off a feed from Anthony Phalen ’10, and the second was assisted by Musynske. About five minutes later, Wilson stepped up yet again, assisting Musynske in the completion of his hat-trick, and then recording his own hat-trick, converting on a pass from Will Predun ’09 with about three and half minutes to go in the third quarter.

Randolph-Macon answered back, taking advantage of a man-up opportunity and tallying a goal before the end of the third quarter, and they scored again with 4:51 left in the game, but they couldn’t match the Garnet offense.

Todd Friedman ’09 sealed the deal with an unassisted goal in the fourth quarter, putting the last point of the game on the board and leaving the score in favor of Swarthmore, 7-2.

Musynske attributed the launch of the Garnet offense to their skill in the midfield and their ability to possess and move the ball. “Our offense was sparked by the clearing abilities of our midfielders … Once we got the ball in the offensive zone, we settled and ran the offense while holding possession for most of the game,” he said.

“We did a great job of moving off the ball and feeding the crease, which allowed us to get some easy goals,” Captain Frank Mazzucco ’08 said. Mazzucco also pointed out how many times they hit the posts, and how many more goals they may have had if they converted these opportunities.

While the Garnet put on an offensive show, they also more than lived up to their previously predicted defensive strength, allowing only 15 shots (only 4 in the first half) from the Yellow Jackets, compared to their own 33 shots. Captain Dan Sartori ‘08 attributed their defensive success on Saturday to simple, fundamental play, saying, "Patience was key to our defense on Saturday. We were aggressive when we had to be but weren’t over anxious to take the ball away. It was a no frills defensive game, and it worked well for us."

Mazzucco made five saves in the game for Swarthmore, while Kevin Friedenberg ’10 recorded three saves of his own while minding the net.

This impressive start is no surprise, given that three senior captains are commanding the defensive end this year. All-Centennial Sartori and Drew Bonessa ’08 lead the defensive line, backed up in the net by three year starter Mazzucco, who carries a collection of impressive recognitions. Together, the three direct a powerful squad that will continue to prove difficult for any opponent to infiltrate. Friedenberg spoke highly of the senior defensemen, saying, “Our senior leadership is outstanding. Not enough can be said about having a talented bunch of players who really know what is going on at all times.”

This leadership will continue to help the Garnet as they face their next opponent on Saturday, when they take on the United States Merchant Marine Academy at home on Clothier Field at 2 p.m.

Disclosure Note: Kevin Friedenberg is a columnist for The Phoenix but had no role in the production of this article.

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