Harvard Lacrosse Team Falls To Strong Penn Squad, 13-9

It took the nation's eighth-ranked Pennsylvania Quakers a quarter to warm up, but once they did. Harvard never had a chance. The Crimson stickmen were victimized by a seven-goal Quaker out-burst during the middle two periods and were on to lose their fourth successive contest of the spring, 13.9, on the Business School field last Saturday.

The Crimson, a decided underdog entering the contest, had been ranked twentieth in last week's national poll. In the first quarter, however, Harvard played in defiance of the pollsters, as the inspired Crimson stickmen assumed a 5-2 advantage.

Attackman Bill MacKenzie scored three of his four goals during this initial spurt, while midfielders Bruce Bruckmann and Kevin McCall added the others.

Whatever Penn Coach Jim Adams told his players between periods proved extremely effective, as the Quakers began to play in a style indicative of their press clippings. Penn controlled the play throughout most of the second quarter, and its relentless offensive pressure resulted in four unanswered goals. But for the goaltending of Co-captain LeRoy Thompson, who made 16 saves all totaled, the score at halftime would have been much greater than 6-5.

The barrage did not stop here, though, as the Quakers poured it on after the intermission. With attackman Pete Hollis (five goals, two assists) leading the way, Penn scored three more times to all but clinch the victory.

The teams traded goals until the final gun, with Harvard twice coming within two (10-8, 11-9) of the lead. Mackenzie and McCall added their fourth and second goals, respectively, while Bill Tennis and Scott Mead, the latter on a great individual effort as he circled the net and stuffed the ball past Penn's startled goalie, Mark Avart, closed out Harvard's scoring.

Big Scare

Despite the loss, the Crimson can hardly complain, as it threw a big scare into one of the best teams in the country. In so doing, the team nearly fulfilled Coach Bob Scalise's pre-season prediction that Harvard's enthusiasm and desire would make up for any talent deficiency.

The Crimson will have two chances to break into the victory column this week, as the stickmen host the University of Massachusetts this Wednesday afternoon and then travel across town to Chestnut Hill to take on the Boston College Eagles Friday night.