Navy Notches Another Win Over Army

Ian Dingman had just scored the clinching goal in Navy's 12-9 lacrosse victory over Army late in the fourth quarter yesterday when a Black Knights defender shoved him in the back and another appeared to say something to him. Dingman retaliated, was given a one-minute penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct and, as he left the field, Coach Richie Meade grabbed a fistful of his jersey and screamed at him.

It was that sort of day for the Midshipmen (9-2, 6-0 Patriot League). The victory, before a crowd of 11,370 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, was their 12th in a row over Army. Yet it hardly was their best performance.

Navy led 8-3 following a goal by Dingman with 12 minutes 41 seconds left in the third quarter. Army (6-5, 3-3) had not scored more than 10 goals in a game this season, so the Midshipmen believed they were on the verge of taking control.

Instead, they had turnovers on seven of their next eight possessions. Army scored on five of its next six shots and tied the game at 8 following a goal by sophomore Alex Rhoads with 1:21 left in the third quarter. Included in the spurt was a goal following a shot that senior goalkeeper Colin Finnegan initially saved; the ball bounced out of his stick, went behind him and trickled over the goal line.

Another score came on a rebound following a point-blank save by Finnegan, and a third came off a pass that deflected off a defenseman's stick.

"I didn't know what to tell the guys in the huddle," Finnegan said. "We were playing fine defense but there were some fluke goals."

The game was tied at 9 following a score by Army sophomore Kevin LoRusso with 10:43 left. Navy took the lead for good following a goal by senior Tommy Wallin with 8:31 left.

The Midshipmen extended the lead following the goal by Dingman, off an assist from Wallin, with 4:15 left, though Dingman was called for the penalty seconds later.

"I couldn't really tell what was going on on the field," Meade said, "but I believe Ian got hit late and I think an Army player may have said something to him. I don't blame their players for doing that; I blame Ian for retaliating."

Meade then turned to Dingman and asked if he agreed. "It's a fair assessment," said the senior, who finished with three goals.

Wallin added a goal and three assists. In all, seniors scored nine goals for the Midshipmen.

Navy entered having lost two straight by one-goal margins, to Georgetown and Maryland. Meade began the week by telling the team: "If you have baggage, leave it at the door. There's no room for it here."

His words were prophetic. Senior longstick midfielder Victor Barger, who was defending the Maryland player who scored the winning goal, scored 13 seconds into the fourth quarter to give Navy a 9-8 lead.

Junior Terence Higgins, who was defending on the tying goal last week, had an assist and two groundballs.

"This win is not only good for us, but it's good for the school and good for everyone around here," Dingman said.

· DUKE 7, VIRGINIA 6: Brad Ross scored on a behind-the-back shot in overtime to lead the host Blue Devils, who clinched the ACC regular season championship.