ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Sunday, March 30, 1997 TAG: 9703310155
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-6 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: LEXINGTON
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY THE ROANOKE TIMES
A schedule loaded with Division III men's lacrosse powers prepared Roanoke for its showdown with No. 3 Washington and Lee.
In recent years, it has been a tradition for Roanoke College to dress completely in black for selected men's lacrosse road games.
That's why, with minutes remaining before faceoff Saturday, senior Jeff Jones found himself scanning the Maroons' locker room.
``I thought [coach Bill Pilat] might break out the black jerseys,'' Jones said. ``I was looking around for the bag, but I didn't see it.''
Although he experienced some mixed feelings, Pilat let his assistants talk him into using the black jerseys and sixth-ranked Roanoke proceeded to knock off No. 3 Washington and Lee 11-8 at Wilson Field.
``The black jerseys have been a tradition,'' Pilat said, ``but, to be honest with you, they haven't exactly been a guarantee that we would win. We lost here in '93 when we wore them.''
It was the third straight victory over the Generals for Roanoke, which led 10-3 before W&L scored three goals in 30 seconds and closed to 10-6 with more than nine minutes remaining.
It was reminiscent of the 1994 game between the teams, when the Generals overcame a five-goal deficit with under six minutes remaining and defeated Roanoke 12-11 in overtime.
``I had flashbacks,'' Pilat said. ``I'll always have flashbacks because I was a goalie. I got hit too many times. We remember the past, but what really hurt us was that faceoff man.''
W&L sophomore Tom Super won all six fourth-quarter faceoffs and the Generals (6-1) didn't lose hope until Roanoke goalie Chris Gordon stopped freshman Colin Dougherty from point-blank range with 2:20 left.
``Gordon's the best goalie in the country,'' Pilat said. ``If it wasn't for him, I think we would have lost today. I think they got some good shots on goal that could have gone in.''
W&L goalie Chris Testrake was no slouch, finishing with 21 saves, many during a first-half barrage in which Roanoke outshot the Generals 32-12. Gordon had 20 saves, many of them late.
It was the Maroons' second victory of the season over a team ranked in the top five in Division III, although they were only 3-2 entering play Saturday. Roanoke also had lost to No. 2 Washington College and No. 5 Gettysburg. ``We feel we've played one of the toughest schedules in the country,'' Pilat said. ``We feel we're prepared for games like this. We've been in pressure situations.''
Washington and Lee had won at Gettysburg, but expected tests against Courtland State and Franklin and Marshall did not materialize. In fact, W&L never played Courtland, which lost in the first round of the Generals' tournament.
``I can't do anything about our schedule,'' said W&L coach Jim Stagnitta, noting that Franklin and Marshall is not playing to its usual strong standards. ``Believe me, I do think strength of schedule can make a difference and it did today.''
Jones scored three goals and Paul Baly had one goal and three assists for Roanoke, which received its usual outstanding performance from senior defenseman Chris Davin, a first-team All-American in 1996.
Davin drew the assignment on W&L attackman Ande Jenkins, who did not get a shot in an even-strength situation until less than a minute remained. Jenkins' only goal came in an extra-man opportunity.
``For three quarters, we just never had the ball,'' Stagnitta said. ``Then, Gordon stopped us at the end. I'll be glad when he graduates. He's the best goalie we'll face all year.''
But, given the trouble the Old Dominion Athletic Conference has had in getting two bids to the NCAA Tournament, he'd be only too happy to see Gordon again.
LENGTH: Medium: 74 linesby CNB