A fourth-period comeback and some inspired netminding from junior T.J. Woel gave the Harvard men's lacrosse team an important 12-10 victory over the University of New Hampshire yesterday afternoon in Durham.

Playing on a muddy field, the Crimson upended the second best team in New England despite trailing, 8-6, in the third period. By outscoring the Wildcats, 4-1, in the final quarter, the Crimson earned its third victory against four defeats.

The team also bounced back from a 23-3 shellacking at the hands of number-one ranked Syracuse on Saturday. And the laxmen put themselves in a good position for their important Ivy showdown at Yale Saturday.

"This gives us a lot of confidence going into the Yale game," said junior Paul Garavante.

Meanwhile Coach Bob Scalise's game of musical goalies paid dividends as Woel earned the win on the strength of 17 saves.

Woel played the first period and was relieved at the beginning of the second quarter by freshman Mike Bergmann. The laxmen fell apart early in the period, so Scalise pulled Bergmann and returned Woel to the net for the remainder of the contest.

"I was very pleased," Woel said. "Pleased to put together a good game."

In earning his first-ever victory as a starter Woel has recomplicated an already confused goalkeeping situation, as Woel and Bergmann jockey once again for the starting role.

Turning Point

"We were all looking to this game as a turning point, a starting point for a winning streak," Woel said.

While Woel was shining in the nets, up front attackman Chris Pujols was pacing the Crimson attack with five goals. Tom Corcoran hat tricked and Rob Hawley scored twice, while Martin Garcia and Garavante had a goal apiece.