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Princeton University Athletics
Defense Leads Princeton Past Brown, 9-6
August 20, 1999 | Baseball
April 4, 1998
After allowing three goals in the first five minutes, Princeton's defense allowed just three more over the final 55 minutes, including none in the final 33:52, to lead the third-ranked Tigers to a 9-6 win over Brown in front of 808 at Stevenson Field.
Princeton won its 14th straight Ivy League game and 23rd in its last 24 in improving to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in the league this year. Brown, the only team besides Princeton to win an Ivy title since 1990, slipped to 1-6, 1-1.
"They came out and got a few quick ones," said Princeton defenseman Christian Cook. "We were able to tighten up after that. I thought we did a pretty good job the rest of the way."
Brown led 3-0 after 5:02 had been played. The game was 3-3 at the end of the first quarter and 7-6 at intermission as the teams combined for 13 goals in the first half and two in the second.
Brown became the third straight Princeton opponent to be shut out for the third quarter and the second in the last three weeks not to score after intermission. Princeton held Penn State scoreless for the final 32:44 two weeks ago and allowed just two fourth-quarter goals to Yale last week.
Princeton has outscored its opponents 36-29 in the first half of its six games and 44-16 in the second.
"Their goalie [Strider Dickson] made some big saves early," Princeton coach Bill Tierney said. "When that happens, you tend to get a little conservative with your shots for awhile."
Princeton's comeback began 30 seconds after Brown took the 3-0 lead, when Chris Massey scored on an assist from Josh Sims. Mark Whaling then cut it to 3-2 with 2:22 remaining in the quarter, and Massey tied it on a flamboyent behind-the-back shot with just 13 seconds to go in the first.
Brown built the lead to 5-3 midway through the second quarter before goals from Jesse Hubbard and Lorne Smith tied it again. Todd McNamara then scored what proved to be the final Brown goal with 3:52 left in the quarter to make it 6-5 Brown.
Josh Sims, who had career highs with four goals and five assists last week against Yale, then scored twice in just over a minute to give the Tigers their first lead at 7-6. Sims, a sophomore, finished with two goals and two assists to give him 14 goals and three assists for the season.
"Josh's goals were huge," Cook said. "He's turning into a tremendous leader for this team."
Smith scored his second goal just 1:42 into the third quarter, and it became 9-6 when Seamus Grooms scored on an assist from Whaling with 6:10 gone. Neither team scored after that.
"Your offense can sometimes come and go, but your defense has to be there every game," Tierney said. "I thought our defense was very, very good."
Corey Popham finished with nine saves for Princeton, while Cook and John Harrington had five grounds balls each. Princeton outshot Brown 33-27.
The Tigers are at Harvard next Saturday, April 11.
Scoring Summary:
NCAA DIVISION I MEN'S LACROSSE Brown vs. Princeton Saturday, April 4, 1998 Stevenson Field, Providence, Rhode IslandScore by Quarters 1 2 3 4 TOTAL #3 PRINCETON (5-1, 2-0 Ivy) 3 4 2 0 9 BROWN (1-6, 1-1 Ivy) 3 3 0 0 6
PRINCETON SCORING Goals: Massey 2, Sims 2, Smith 2, Hubbard, Grooms , Whaling Assists: Sims 2, Hess 2, Whaling
BROWN SCORING Goals: Lyle 2, DeWick, Monfett, Satin, McNamara Assists: Monfett 2, DeWick, Sullivan, Smith
Goalie Saves: Princeton: Corey Popham 9 saves, 60 minutes, 6 goals allowed
Brown: Strider Dickson 13 saves, 60 minutes, 9 goals allowed
Shots: Princeton 33, Brown 27 Ground Balls: Princeton 37, Brown 36 Faceoffs Won: Princeton 11, Brown 8 Penalties/Minutes: Princeton 6/5:00, Brown 6/4:00 Clears/Fails: Princeton 18/2, Brown 20/5 Extra Man Goals/Att.: Princeton 1/6, Brown 1/6
Attendance: 808