Season In Review
After a disappointing 2006 season that saw the Wentworth lacrosse team finish with a 5-8 record, including losing, for the second straight season, a 6-5 playoff game at Roger Williams, optimism for the 2007 squad was indeed high. Despite there being the lack of a returning player who had scored more than 10 points, the Leopards had solid players returning at both the midfield and defense positions and were returning one of two goalies who had split time the previous season.
The year started out strong, as Wentworth took home a 9-8, double-overtime win against Mass. Maritime and followed that up with wins over Nichols and Clark—by a combined 26-10—and stood at 3-0 for the first time in the program’s 11-year history.
Playing its fourth game in a 10-day stretch the Leopards saw their season-opening win streak come to a halt with an 8-2 loss at Salve Regina. This loss would begin a five-game losing streak for the Leopards, which included one-goal losses to MIT (6-5) and Plymouth State (4-3), with the latter coming in the midst of an April Nor’Easter.
Standing at 3-5 with five games to play, Wentworth quickly righted the ship, using an 8-7 win over UMass Boston to snap the losing streak and begin a three-game win streak, which also included a 9-8, overtime win at New England College.
A 16-10 loss to Gordon snapped the winning streak and placed the Leopards at 6-6 overall and 3-4 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference. Despite having already clinched a spot in the CCC Tournament, a 10-1 win over the University of New England in the regular-season finale would secure the tournament’s number five seed.
With a 7-6 record, Wentworth traveled to fourth-seeded Salve Regina for an opening round game. The Seahawks would jump out to a 5-2 halftime lead and never look back, advancing to the semifinals with a 14-3 win and ending Wentworth’s season at 7-7. Despite not advancing past the first round of the tournament, the 7-7 record posted by the Leopards was the best since the 2004 squad went 9-7.
Offensively, sophomore Chris Wesche led the way, scoring 22 goals and assisting on five others for a 27-point season. Junior Nick Lambros was right behind him, scoring 25 points which came on 10 goals and 15 assists, while classmate Chris Landry rounded out Wentworth’s top three scorers, finding the back of the net 10 times and helping on six others.
Junior Kyle Beck led the team with 44 ground balls, closely followed by freshman Jeff Ryan and senior Paul Ridge, each of whom picked up 42 ground balls.
In between the pipes, junior Nick Murphy had a solid season, posting a 7-7 record with a 7.99 goals against average and a .646 save percentage. Murphy’s save percentage ranked him seven among Division III goalies, while his goals against average ranked him 33rd. As a team the Leopards were ranked in the top 50 in penalty killing and scoring defense.
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Looking Ahead
With its top two scorers and its starting goalie returning for the 2008 campaign, the Leopards will be looking to underclassmen to step up and fill holes left at midfield and defense. However, with a strong group of returners, Wentworth should remain a contender within the conference. [back to top]
Schedule
The Leopards play a nine-game The Commonwealth Coast Conference schedule that includes games against
such teams as Western New England, Roger Williams, Gordon, and Endicott. The non-league schedule is highlighted with games against UMass Boston, MIT, Plymouth State and Mass. Maritime. In addition, there is a limited,
non-traditional schedule in the fall semester.
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History
The men's lacrosse team was elevated to varsity status beginning with
the 1997 season. In the 11 seasons of varsity play, Wentworth has
posted a 70-74 record and had its most successful season in 1999,
when it went 9-5, and in 2004 the nine-win record was equalled. The 2003 squad made the program's first appearance
in the ECAC Tournament, with the 2004 squad making a repeat appearance. All home games are played on Sweeney Field,
which has an artificial surface and lights.
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Meet the Coaching Staff
Paul
Murphy (UMass Boston '86) enters his eighth season as the Wentworth
lacrosse coach. He has an extensive coaching background at both the
high school and collegiate level, including serving as the head men's
lacrosse coach at Merrimack College for five seasons.
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Assistant Coach
Chris DeMaio |
Assistant Coach
Bill Beroza
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