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Bears Survive Green Wave’s Late Surge

Feb. 7, 2009

The Baylor Bears almost blew an 11-1 halftime advantage over Tulane Saturday, as Tulane outscored the Bears 9-3 in the second half.  Because of a strong performance in the second quarter, the Bears were able to hold on for a 14-10 win.

Both teams came out flat to start the game, which saw winds up to 25 miles per hours.  Tulane struck first as midfielder David Swift scored nearly two minutes into the game.  But Baylor’s rookie attackman Andrew Pandora and senior midfielder Michael Magee countered with a goal each to put the Bears on top 2-1.

After a lack luster performance in the first quarter, the Bears rallied together and came out firing in what would be the decisive the second quarter.  The Bears scored nine unanswered goals, six of which were assisted—including one from senior long stick middie Matthew Pompa to attackman Andrew Pandora.  Baylor fought hard in collecting 22-2 groundballs, clearing the ball 7-3, and holding Tulane to only 2 shots the entire quarter.  Baylor’s offense was also effective in finding the open man and making good cuts—which allowed their defense extra time to rest.

After halftime, it was a totally different story.

With a comfortable lead, Baylor seemed in complete control, but Tulane was determined to get back in the game.  The third quarter was reminiscent of the first, but Tulane seemed to have the edge and momentum going into the fourth quarter, even though Baylor still maintained a 10 point lead.

The Bears, who won the penalty battle (three to Tulane’s eight) in the first half, found themselves committing  7 penalties in the second half compared to Tulane’s two.  Tulane capitalized on their extra-man opportunities and found the back of the net in seven out of the eight shots taken in the fourth quarter—4 which came from man up opportunities.  Tulane’s surge came too late thought, as time expired well before their run could be complete.  The Bears knew they almost gave away the game, but know they can’t let up in their next two games when they host SMU Friday night and Texas Tech Sunday afternoon.

Game notes: Freshman defenseman Stokes Volatile made two saves during Saturday’s game when two clears by goaltender Matthew McPheeters were broken up by Tulane…During Baylor’s 9-0 run in the second quarter, Andrew Pandora fed Michael Magee who had to head-butt the ball into the goal after having his stick checked…The Bears where glad to bounce back after a tough loss to the LSA Division II Champion Southwestern Pirates.