M. Lax set for Harvard

A week ago, the Penn men's lacrosse team boasted a No. 15 ranking and a 3-0 record. But that was before the Quakers got on the bus to Yale.

Last Saturday in New Haven the Quakers gave up a two-goal lead to the Elis early in the first quarter and never recovered. Penn eventually succumbed to an injurious 11-5 loss.

Now 3-1, the Red and Blue has dropped to No. 17 and look to reclaim lost ground.

They will have their chance this weekend as Penn faces off against No. 20 Harvard at Franklin Field tomorrow.

Both teams should find this situation familiar. Last year in Boston the Quakers pulled through in the final minutes to win the contest 10- 9. It was the Crimson's first loss of the 2001 season. But more significantly, it marked the first Penn victory over Harvard in 26 years.

The Quakers are working to move on from the loss at Yale and focus on their mental game to repeat last year's win over Harvard.

"The Yale loss wasn't a question of effort, we just didn't use our head," junior Jack Goehring said. "It's about playing smart as well as playing hard."

This weekend's match-up opens league play for the Crimson (4-0). They will look to their key players to bring them a win.

One of these standouts is Matt Primm. In 2000, Primm received Ivy-League Rookie of the Year after leading Harvard in goals. Coming off an injury suffered last year, this season he will be a crucial part of the Crimson attack.

Harvard sophomore goalie Jake McKenna poses as a formidable defensive obstacle for the Quakers. McKenna finished an impressive freshman season last year with a save percentage of .607 and a goals against average of 8.92.

The Crimson's junior midfielder Doug Logigan, first team All-Ivy last year, will also be a threat on both ends of the field.

To counteract their formidable opponents, the Red and Blue are preparing their own game plan.

"We'll have success if we move our feet and work hard off ball," Penn junior Chuck DeMuth said. "We're going to make the easy pass and let the ball do the work."

"We want to come out with a lot of emotion and passion, stick to the game that we know, and go after those ground balls," junior James Tyrell said.

The Quakers acknowledge the talent they are up against but have faith in their own abilities.

"We definitely need to play tough, physical defense out there," Tyrell said. "We'll need to know where [Primm] is and protect the middle of the field. Hopefully the defensive lance will be able to knock him out again like last year."

"It's not about the goalie, it's about us shooting to score," Goehring said.

On the whole, the Red and Blue are thinking clearly and ready to make up for the mistakes they made at Yale.

"We're going to work together as a team," DeMuth said. "The important thing is to get back on the winning track."

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