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Princeton University Athletics
U.S. National Team Defeats Princeton In Lacrosse Exhibition
October 19, 2002 | Women's Lacrosse
Oct. 19, 2002
Princeton, N.J. - The U.S. National Team used a balanced attack to down the Princeton Tigers in a women's lacrosse exhibition game on Saturday night at Class of 1952 Stadium. Team USA has 10 different goal scorers in a 15-4 win over the Tigers' fall squad.
After the U.S. National Team jumped out to a three-goal lead, sophomore attack Lindsey Biles found the back of the net to cut the lead to 3-1. USA's Sarah Nelson scored back-to-back goals, sparking a 6-0 National Team run to end the half.
"They were really awesome," says Princeton head coach Chris Sailer. "Their players have great stick skill and play so well together. We knew this was going to be a challenge."
The Tigers would settle at the half and with Biles' free position goal at 31:36, the lead was 9-2. Team USA would answer with a goal of its own, but Princeton came back with goals by Whitney Miller and Liza Hillenbrand to pull within six goals at 10-4. "I definitely saw some sparks in the second half," says Sailer. "We were able to settle and gained some confidence with early goals."
The U.S. National Team was a step ahead, however, and would outscore the Tigers 5-0 the rest of the way. Princeton alums Julie Shaner '01 and Lucy Small '99 each scored for USA while Princeton's all-time leading scorer, Crista Samaras '99, notched an assist.
Despite giving up 15 goals, Sarah Kolodner had an excellent day in goal with 15 saves. The Tiger defense caused nine turnovers, seven of which came in the second half of play. Hillenbrand led the Tigers with five ground balls and Miller controlled two of Princeton's nine successful draws.
Princeton will return a squad with All-Americas Rachael Becker and Theresa Sherry this spring, both of which are currently participating in fall seasons at Princeton. The Tigers open the season with Lafayette on March 5.
Teams Princeton 1 3 -- 4 USA 9 6 -- 15Scoring Time P-U USA Greer (unassisted) 3:01 0-1 USA Greer (unassisted) 3:40 0-2 USA Carney (unassisted) 5:07 0-3 Prin Biles (unassisted) 11:15 1-3 USA Nelson (unassisted) 14:16 1-4 USA Nelson (Sommar) 14:51 1-5 USA Ariza (unassisted) 20:29 1-6 USA Carney (Flynn) 21:39 1-7 USA Small (Samaras) 23:46 1-8 USA Sommar (unassisted) 24:26 1-9 Prin Biles (FP) 31:36 2-9 USA Shaner (unassisted) 35:15 2-10 Prin Miller (unassisted) 36:23 3-10 Prin Hillenbrand (unassisted) 37:35 4-10 USA Stanwick (Shaner) 42:17 4-11 USA Stanwick (unassisted) 43:39 4-12 USA Gallagher (unassisted) 45:00 4-13 USA Wellington (unassisted) 46:37 4-14 USA Ariza (unassisted) 53:31 4-15