SCHENECTADY – Middlebury was a better team than Union men’s lacrosse on March 21 in Austin, Texas. That remained true on Sunday at Frank Bailey Field.
No adjustments the Dutchmen could make in the intervening two months could make up for the Panthers’ superior depth and scoring punch that ended the Dutchmen’s season.
Twelve Middlebury players had at least one goal in 19-10 victory over the Dutchmen in an NCAA Division III Tournament third-round game in front of 591 fans at Frank Bailey Field.
“They have a lot of kids who can shoot, really good players,” Union junior goalkeeper Dan Donahue,who had 19 saves, said. “They were hitting their shots today. Defensively, we were great, but as a team, we weren’t communicating as well as we’d like to and it starts with me. I think we had a great season, but just weren’t prepared today for it.”
The fifth-ranked Panthers also defeated Union 15-9 in March at Caven Lacrosse Center in Austin in a spring-break trip for both programs.
“I think they were better (than in March) and I think we were better, too,” Union head coach Derek Witheford said. “That’s normal for good teams in the NCAAs to get better and peak around May. But I just think their depth was really impressive, and as I said, with the back-to-back (games) that really helps.”
Union (12-7) and Middlebury (18-2) was each playing its second game in as many days on Sunday. They pulled out second round games on Saturday with the Dutchmen coming from behind to defeat Western New England and Middlebury holding off St. Mary’s of Maryland.
Middlebury senior defenseman Luke Simpson said Middlebury’s depth played to its advantage on Sunday.
“I think that’s something we pride ourselves on,” Simpson said. “We have guys ready to go at all times and I think that’s a testament to the competitiveness of our practices. Everybody’s…
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