Princeton University Athletics
Youth Movement
May 20, 2000 | Men's Lacrosse
May 20, 2000
Piscataway, N.J. - Worried about how an inexperienced Princeton men's lacrosse team was going to react to NCAA tournament pressure? No sweat.
Princeton had four freshmen combine for five goals and one assist and a defense comprised completely of players starting their first NCAA tournament game hold Maryland to three goals in the first three quarters as the Tigers defeated the Terrapins 10-7 in the NCAA quarterfinals at Rutgers.
Third-seeded Princeton (11-2) earned its seventh Final Four berth in the last nine years and will play the winner of tomorrow's quarterfinal game between Virginia and Duke. The Final Four will be played next Saturday and Monday at Maryland's Byrd Stadium. Princeton has won five NCAA titles.
Josh Sims came into this quarterfinal game with 10 of the 11 career NCAA goals scored by active Princeton players, but the Tigers had seven players score at least one. "I thought our defense played tough and tight, and I thought our offense was opportunistic," said Princeton head coach Bill Tierney, who improved his NCAA tournament record to 19-5. "To have those young guys on offense who were playing high school ball a year ago out there scoring big goals, it makes you appreciate what you have."
Princeton's quarterfinal game followed a familar script. The Tigers led 6-2 at intermission and 10-3 after three quarters before being outscored 4-0 in the fourth quarter. Princeton has outscored its opponents 122-69 in the first three quarters and has been outscored 33-21 in the fourth for the year.
Maryland's Brian Zeller scored the first goal of the day three minutes in, but Sims and Sean Hartofilis scored for Princeton to make it 2-1 after the first quarter. Sims scored 30 seconds into the second quarter to make it 3-1, but Zeller scored his second three minutes later to make it 3-2. Princeton also had two goals disallowed to that point, one on a rebound after a save with a flag down and one after a late offsides call.
"Both calls were right," said Tierney. "You get so excited when you score because you know goals are going to be hard to come by that it hurts to have them taken off the board. Sometimes, though, that revs you up. You see that you can get shots and score, and you just keep at it."
That was the case in this game, as Princeton held Maryland scoreless for 22:43 while building its lead first to 6-2 at the half and then 9-2 midway through the third quarter. Even after Maryland scored again, Princeton answered on a goal by Hartofilis to lead 10-3 at the end of three.
"Our defense was very confident," said Tiger longstick Scott Farrell. "Having a bye last week gave our coaches a chance to scout, and we were well-prepared. We knew what we had to do to neutralize their scoring threats. We played very team-oriented defense."
Maryland made a run in the fourth quarter, using two goals and two assists by Chris Malone to make it 10-7 with six minutes still remaining. Maryland had several opportunities after that, but the Tigers were able to hold on.
Sims, Hartofilis and Matt Striebel scored two each for Princeton, while Striebel and Sims also had two assists. In addition to Hartofilis, Princeton picked up goals from fellow freshmen Owen Daly, Brad Dumont and Josh White, as well as an assist by Dumont. Brendan Tierney also had a goal and assist. Princeton freshmen Damien Davis held Maryland's Buggs Combs, the Terps' second leading goal scorer, without a goal, giving Davis his seventh shutout in nine games.
Malone's four points led Maryland.
Maryland (11-5) 1 1 1 4 7
Princeton (11-2) 2 4 4 0 10
Princeton Scoring
Goals -- Sean Hartofilis 2, Josh Sims 2, Matt Striebel 2, Owen Daly 1, Brad Dumont 1, Josh White 1, Brendan Tierney 1
Assists -- Matt Striebel 2, Josh Sims 2, Brad Dumont 1, Brendan Tierney 1
Maryland Scoring
Goals -- Chris Malone 2, Brian Zeller 2, Mike LaMonica 1, Mike Morsell 1, Beau Pich 1 Assists -- Chris Malone 2, Buggs Combs 1, Brian Zeller 1
Goalies
Princeton -- Trevor Tierney 60 minutes, seven goals-against, nine saves Maryland -- Pat McGinnis 60 minutes, 10 goals-against, 15 saves
Shots Princeton 35, Maryland 30 Ground Balls Princeton 37, Maryland 46 Extra Man Princeton 1 for 8, Maryland 1 for 2 Penalties Princeton 2/1:00, Maryland 11/8:30 Face-0ffs Princeton 11x21, Maryland 10x21
Attendance 3,806