Saturday, November 1st, 2003
By Lori Herbert

The tables were swiftly turned. After suffering their only defeat of the season last week in New York, the Northeastern University Maddogs handed another New York team a blistering defeat in the first Division 1 playoff game. Northeastern trounced the Syracuse University Hammerheads 59-7 before a packed crowd at Madison Park.

Syracuse racked up their only points of the entire game in the first five minutes. After that, it was all Maddog, all the time. The Dogs kept Syracuse out of the house, and out of scoring range, for most of the game. Wave after wave, score after score, the Dogs pummeled the Hammerheads. Of particular note were the scrums, one of which drove the pack into the try zone to score. Once again, the Dogs showed great skill in passing, line-outs, and kicking, all without key starters.

Coach Sean O’Leary expressed his pleasure with the way his pack is playing this season, especially with the way the younger players are stepping up to fill the cleats of his injured starters. He noted that the large number of players is key to fielding a team with depth and versatility.

A glorious Indian summer day (it’s November!) provided the perfect backdrop for a Maddog barbeque following the game. The Maddogs treated fans, opponents, and players to a great time of food, drink, and camaraderie.