A rare national sports playoff took place in Middletown on Wednesday afternoon, the NCAA Division III lacrosse quarterfinals. The Middlebury team roared in, determined to take revenge for two stinging defeats earlier in the season at the hands of the surprising Wesleyan team. Unfortunately for the highly partisan crowd of 600 spectators, Middlebury succeeded in bringing the Cardinals back to earth, scoring a 13-5 victory on the Lacrosse field affectionately known by the Wesleyan team as The Birdcage.
The game started out well for our hometown friends, as Wesleyan chirped out in front by a score of 3-0 in the first 7 minutes. Alas, that was to be the majority of the Cardinal's scoring for the entire game. Middlebury scored 6 unanswered goals to take a commanding lead with 3 minutes left in the first half.
The Middlebury team seemed to have an answer for every Wesleyan effort, as both their offensive and defensive players clawed, pounced, and swiped at the ball whenever it was either in Wesleyan's possession or loose on the field. As the game wore on, it seemed that the energy that had sustained Wesleyan through a glorious flight to the NESCAC championship was simply spent.
Middlebury goes on to play Cortland in the semifinals on Sunday. The Wesleyan team was applauded by appreciative fans, thankful for an inspiring season.
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