Ward seeking first career Ivy win against Dartmouth tomorrow

M. Lax's leading scorer gotM. Lax's leading scorer gotchance to play last year as aM. Lax's leading scorer gotchance to play last year as arookie and led team in goals After a disastrous trip to Princeton on Wednesday, where the Penn men's lacrosse team found itself on the short end of a 19-4 scoreline, the Quakers have to be hoping that everything is different this weekend. It may be -- thanks to Mother Nature. Having fallen to the Tigers on an artificial turf field on a beautiful spring day, the Quakers (3-6, 0-3 Ivy League) will likely try their luck in very different conditions tomorrow in Hanover, N.H., when they take on Dartmouth (2-1, 0-0) at 1 p.m. The forecast calls for low temperatures and plenty of precipitation. Heavy rain on the Big Green's grass field could lead to a slow, sloppy game. Dartmouth, rated at No. 18 in the latest national coaches' poll, is not likely to offer the beleaguered Penn defense much rest. In addition to the Big Green attackers, the Quakers will have to watch junior midfielder Brian Merritt, an honorable mention All-American last season. "They have their best team in a couple of years," said Penn coach Terry Corcoran. "Both teams have the capability to score." One Quaker who has been capable of scoring this year has been John Ward. The sophomore attackman leads the team in goals so far with 26. With opponents focused on veteran attackmates Jon Cusson and Andy Crofton at the beginning of the year, Ward was able to get off to a quick start, even breaking into the top 15 in the nation in goals per game for several weeks. Although his output has dropped of late, that may be a function of the high-quality opposition Penn has faced recently. Only Princeton, ranked No.1 in the current media poll and famous for a suffocating defense, has succeeded in shutting Ward out this season. Ward may be the best thing that former Quakers coach G.W. Mix left the program. After an unsuccessful four-year stint, Mix, who recruited the tall lefthander, was fired. In his place, Corcoran was hired from Division III power Washington College in Maryland. "It was a surprise, but I had known Coach Corcoran from what he had done in Division III," said Ward, who added that the change did not really upset him. "I don't think that you can choose a school based on a sport." Despite coming from lacrosse superpower Wilton High School -- which won the Connecticut state title all four years that Ward was on the team -- and being named all-State his senior year, Ward did not anticipate playing very much immediately in college. "You can't come into a school and be overconfident or think you'll step into a major role right away," Ward said. He could not have been more wrong. Shortly into the 1995 campaign, a group of veteran players quit the team, opening up time for the freshman. Playing around more experienced attackers, the newcomer was often overlooked. But when the final stats came in, Ward had amassed 33 goals, tied for the team best. "What has helped John has been playing with Andy Crofton and Jon Cusson -- that's been a big plus," Corcoran said of his inherited star. Ward agrees, saying, "It helped a bunch. They were the stars of the team last year, and it made it a lot easier for me. I was looked upon as freshman who wasn't expected to do anything." At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, Ward brings a straight-ahead, physical element to the Quakers' attack. When Ward is using his strength and Cusson is on top of the passing game, the offense is clearly Penn's best unit. "I think as an offense, we're a pretty balanced unit," Ward said. Having established personal success, Ward's focus has turned to the team. The sophomore has suffered through nine-straight league losses since his arrival, including two heartbreakers against Cornell and Harvard in the past few weeks. The team has three more chances to record an Ivy win in 1996, starting tomorrow. "Dartmouth is definitely beatable," Ward said. "And a lot of guys on this team are getting tired of losing."