Modern society is often criticized for its “instant gratification” culture, but the Muhlenberg men’s lacrosse team found that delayed

Senior Mike Tentindo was second on the team with 33 faceoffs won in 2006. His 97 career ground balls rank fourth on the Mules’ all-time list.

gratification can be worth the wait.

Since their reinstatement as a varsity sport in 2003, the Mules had been looking for their first win against an established Centennial Conference program. They had come maddeningly close, with three one-goal losses, a two-goal loss and a pair of three-goal losses in the last two years alone.

After a three-goal loss to Haverford early in 2006 extended Muhlenberg’s CC winless streak to 18, the Mules welcomed Franklin & Marshall for a game they thought they could win. The teams were preparing up for their Saturday afternoon game when a sudden snowstorm hit, making the field unsafe for play.

The Diplomats went back home to Lancaster, and when they returned the next night, Muhlenberg was ready. The Mules jumped out to an 8-0 lead and got

Senior Galen Marsh scored nine goals, all in CC games, including four in the landmark win against Franklin & Marshall.

the monkey off their backs with a 14-6 victory.

Playing with renewed confidence, Muhlenberg split its final six CC games to finish 6-7 overall, 3-5 in the CC. In a sign of progress, the Mules were the last team eliminated from the CC playoff picture.

Muhlenberg used increased depth and experience to succeed where past teams had fallen short. The depth allowed the Mules to run out several dependable lines and press on even when their captain was sidelined with injury.

Three Muhlenberg players – one from each field position – received All-Centennial Conference honorable mention. On attack, sophomore Mickey Norton was chosen after recording 16 goals and 14 assists. He became the

Robinson notched a hat trick in his final game and ended up with 76 career goals, just one short of the school record.

program’s career leader with 40 assists in his two seasons.

Sophomore midfielder Kyle Farris emerged as one of the top offensive threats in the CC, leading the Mules with 33 points on 28 goals and five assists. He recorded five consecutive hat tricks in one stretch and ranked fifth in the CC in goals per game.

The Mules’ third all-conference player, junior Steven Toto, topped the team with 43 ground balls and took over the leadership of the defense when classmate Kyle Hart suffered an injury.

Junior Sean Toohill (17 goals, 10 assists), senior James Robinson (19 goals) and freshman Nick Fletcher (six goals, eight assists) also ranked among the team’s scoring leaders. Sophomore specialist Luke LaMarca (47 faceoffs won) and sophomore wing Tim Dwyre (29 ground balls) helped ’Berg win 52.7 percent of faceoffs.

Toto, Hart, sophomores Carlo Morrongiello and Patrick Lewis and freshman John DeLuca were among the stalwarts on a defense that allowed 81 goals – 15 fewer than last year – in CC games. Junior Daniel Kotch, a transfer from Susquehanna, started every game in goal and recorded a .524 save percentage.