April 8, 2001

AMHERST, MA - After posting its first loss of the season, 17-8 to seventh-ranked Middlebury College on Saturday, the Amherst College men's lacrosse team rebounded with an 8-6 win over visiting NESCAC rival Colby College on Sunday, improving its record to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play. Sophomore Amherst attack Chris Condlin (Baltimore, MD) led the way offensively with two goals on the afternoon, while senior co-captain Eric Edelson (Bethesda, MD) and first-year phenom Craig McBeth (Wyckoff, NJ) each added a goal and an assist. 

The Jeffs jumped in front early on a rain-soaked Hitchcock Field, as Edelson broke the ice with an unassisted goal on a nifty reverse spin move 5:44 into the game. Senior midfielder Rob Gibson (South Salem, NY) connected just seven seconds later off the ensuing face-off for a 2-0 Amherst lead, before first-year attack Mike Allison (West Nyack, NY) fed sophomore midfielder Tucker Sowers (Ridgewood, NJ) for his third goal of the season from behind the Colby goalmouth for a 3-0 advantage at the end of the first period. 

Colby's Josh Cleaver (Kennett Square, PA) finally put the White Mules on the board 4:32 into the second period off a slick pass from senior attack Bill Getty (Allison Park, PA), but Amherst answered with an unassisted scoring strike by McBeth with 6:04 remaining to push the lead to 4-1. It looked as though that score would stand as the final seconds of the first half ticked away. However, Edelson surprised Colby with a well-placed feed to a cutting Condlin, who stuffed the ball in the back of the net from point-blank range with 11 seconds remaining for a 5-1 Amherst lead at the break. 

The rout appeared to be on as Amherst scored again to open the third period on one of the game's prettiest goals. First-year defenseman Alexei Kudla (Bethesda, MD) intercepted a Colby pass near midfield and hit a streaking Allison, who fed senior attack J.P. Bruneau (Concord, MA) for a bounce shot past White Mule goalkeeper Ben Park (Andover, MA). 

Down 6-1 with 6:53 left in the third, Colby somehow summoned the strength for a dramatic comeback and scored five of the game's next six goals to cut the lead to 7-6 late in the fourth period. Colby's top scorer, sophomore attack Barron Butler (Marblehead, MA), connected three times during the run, twice on assists by senior co-captain Matt Cohen (Wayland, MA). 

Buoyed by their late resurgence, the White Mules clearly held the momentum inside the last five minutes and worked the ball for one last legitimate scoring opportunity. Junior midfielder Bill Spencer (Sudbury, MA)-who scored Colby's third goal of the game during the comeback-saw an opening from the left side but lost possession and was called for a pushing foul with 2:34 remaining, effectively killing the rally for Colby. Condlin took advantage at the other end seconds later with his second goal of the game, assisted by McBeth, to ice the victory and set the final score at 8-6. 

Amherst senior goalkeeper Corey Simonson (Brookline, MA) finished with 14 saves after nearly shutting the White Mules out in the first half. Meanwhile, Park was similarly impressive with 11 saves, as Colby fell to 2-4 (1-3 NESCAC) with the loss. With the win, Amherst surpassed its four-game victory total from last season and moved into sole possession of third place in the NESCAC standings. Middlebury and Wesleyan University are currently tied for first place with matching 3-0 conference marks, with Bowdoin College not far behind at 3-1. 

The Jeffs return to action Wednesday at conference rival Trinity College at 4 p.m.

SCORING: 
AC - Condlin 2, Edelson, McBeth, Bruneau, Gibson, Sowers, Margolis 
CC - Butler 3, Getty, Cleaver, Spencer, German 

ASSISTS: 
AC - Allison 2, Edelson, McBeth 
CC - Getty, Cohen, Grosch 

GOALKEEPING: 
AC - Corey Simonson, 7 saves (6 ga, 60:00) 
CC - Ben Park, 11 saves (8 ga, 60:00) 

SHOTS: AC 31, CC 26;
GROUND BALLS: AC 50, CC 56; 
FACEOFFS: AC 11, CC 6; 
EXTRA-MAN: AC 0/3, CC 1/3 
PENALTIES: AC 3 for 3:00, CC 3 for 2:00;