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Princeton University Athletics
Women's Lacrosse Set To Face U.S. National Team
October 16, 2002 | Women's Lacrosse
Oct. 16, 2002
Princeton, N.J. - Fresh off a trip to the White House, the defending national champion women's lacrosse team will take the field this Saturday in an exhibition contests with the U.S. National Team. The Tigers are set for their annual meeting with Team USA, hosting some of the world's best lacrosse players at Class of 1952 Stadium.
Princeton welcomes back three of its alumni in Crista Samaras, Julie Shaner and Lucy Small. Samaras, the all-time leading scorer at Princeton, led the National Team to an 11-3 win over the Tigers last fall with four goals and an assist against her alma mater.
The Tigers will field a squad that sports nine new faces after losing seven seniors to graduation. Princeton has seven freshmen on this year's roster and returns two juniors to the program. Princeton will also be without its two returning first-team All-Americas as Rachael Becker and Theresa Sherry continue their respective fall seasons. Becker plays field hockey at Princeton; Sherry along with sophomore midfielder Elizabeth Pillion, plays soccer for the Tigers. Head coach Chris Sailer returns for her 17th season with Princeton. She has amassed an impressive 199-68 record and has two NCAA Championships, six Ivy League Championships and six regional Coach of the Year awards while mentoring 32 of Princeton's 34 All-Americas.
"We're always excited and looking forward to playing the U.S. National Team," says Sailer. "We see this as a great opportunity and a test, especially this year with our team being so young. I'm looking forward to seeing our kids compete and play well."
Satuday's game is slated for a 6 p.m. start. Princeton officially opens the 2003 season at home on March 5 versus Lafayette.