Princeton University
Georgetown
Simply The Best
May 19, 2002 | Women's Lacrosse
May 19, 2002
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Baltimore, Md. - Big time players step up in big time games and that's exactly what Princeton's seniors did in a 12-7 win over Georgetown in the 2002 Women's Lacrosse National Championship Game. Tiger seniors scored seven goals as Princeton won the national title in front of a capacity crowd at Curley Field in Baltimore, Md. on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Championship game jitters were apparent at the start and for the first time since Princeton's season opener versus Georgetown, it did not possess a halftime lead. After the Hoyas scored two goals to open the contest, freshman Lindsey Biles cut the lead in half with a goal at the 7:40 mark. Georgetown responded, but back-to-back goals by freshman Elizabeth Pillion and Biles tied up the score at 3-3. The Hoyas went ahead again, this time on Wick Stanwick's second goal of the day, but Lauren Simone's goal at 25:41 sent the Tigers and Hoyas into the lockeroom all tied up at 4-4. "There was never a doubt in my mind that we would win this," says Simone. "We proved in the Maryland game that even a five-goal deficit is not too much to overcome. I think the whole team had complete confidence in out ability to come back and win this game."
If it was freshmen play that kept Princeton close in the first half, it was senior leadership that took over and won the game in the second half. Simone traded goals with Stanwick and the game was nodded at 5-5. The Tiger seniors make sure that was the last time the game would be in question.
Senior Mimi Hammerberg broke the 5-5 tie with her first goal of the Final Four and started a 5-0 Princeton run. Simone scored her third goal of the game and senior Charlotte Kenworthy scored to push Princeton ahead 9-5. The Tigers went up 10-5 on Whitney Miller's goal and finished the game with the same five-goal advantage.
"Only seven seniors in the country can say today that they ended their collegiate lacrosse careers as national champions," says Simone. "It's such a great feeling to be a part of this."
Simone was named tournament MVP after finishing the game with three goals and an assist. She totaled four goals and six assists in the Final Four. Biles also finished today's game with three goals and an assist while both Kenworhty and Pillion finished with two goals.
Princeton sealed its record-breaking season with the second national championship in program history. The Tigers can now hold valid claim as the greatest women's lacrosse team to ever play at the University. The 2002 Tigers never trailed at regulation's end and set school record for most points in a season, most goals in a season, most wins in a season and longest winning streak in program history.
The Tigers also broke NCAA tournament records for most points in a game (25), largest margin of victory (22) and fewest goals allowed in a Final Four game (2). Princeton claims the 2002 crown after ending the regular season ranked No. 1 in the IWLCA national poll. The Tigers held the top spot for each of the season's final five weeks and was ranked No.1 longer than anyone else.
Today's win over Georgetown avenged Princeton's lone loss, a 15-13 overtime defeat to the Hoyas in the season opener back on March 3. Princeton finished the year as winners of its last 19 games with a 19-1 overall record and an Ivy League championship. Princeton has played in five NCAA championship games and its two wins bookend Maryland's seven consecutive titles. This championship also gives Princeton University a national championship team in each of the past 16 seasons.
Princeton completed the year with double digit scoring totals in each of its 20 games, something that no Tiger team has ever accomplished. Coach Chris Sailer's team wrapped up the year with the nation's best win percentage (.950) as her career win total reaches 199.
"When we had our first team meeting this year you could tell this was a fantastic group of individuals," says Sailer. "They have come together to form the most special group I've ever been around. It's a great day in Princeton lacrosse history, but it's just one of many great days this season."
Sailer can smile because she knows that this season, like today, the Tigers are simply the best!
2002 Women's Lacrosse National Championship Princeton 12 Georgetown 7Princeton Scoring (goals-assists) Lauren Simone 3-1, Lindsey Biles 3-1, Charlotte Kenworthy 2-0, Elizabeth Pillion 2-0, Mimi Hammerberg 1-1,Whitney Miller 1-1, Theresa Sherry 0-3, Jess Nelson 0-11 2 Final Princeton (19-1) 4 8 12 Georgetown (17-2) 4 3 7
Georgetown Scoring (goals-assists) Wick Stanwick 4-0, Kate Ahearn 1-0, Erin Elbe 1-1, Anouk Peters 1-0
Goalies Princeton - Sarah Kolodner 60 minutes, 7 goals-against, 9 saves Georgetown - Chandler Vicchio 60 minutes, 12 goals-against, 5 saves
Team Time Goal Assist Score Gtown 5:42 Erin Elbe unassisted Gtown, 1-0 Gtown 6:41 Wick Stanwick unassisted Gtown, 2-0 Prin 7:40 Lindsey Biles Theresa Sherry Gtown, 2-1 Gtown 10:24 Kate Ahearn unassisted Gtown, 3-1 Prin 11:57 Elizabeth Pillion Jess Nelson Gtown, 3-2 Prin 13:55 Lindsey Biles Theresa Sherry Tied, 3-3 Gtown 16:52 Wick Stanwick Erin Elbe Gtown, 4-3 Prin 25:41 Lauren Simone unassisted Tied, 4-4 Prin 34:29 Lauren Simone Theresa Sherry Prin, 5-4 Gtown 34:57 Wick Stanwick unassisted Tied, 5-5 Prin 36:44 Mimi Hammerberg Lindsey Biles Prin, 6-5 Prin 37:29 Lindsey Biles Whitney Miller Prin, 7-5 Prin 41:57 Lauren Simone unassisted Prin, 8-5 Prin 45:16 Charlotte Kenworthy unassisted Prin, 9-5 Prin 45:53 Whitney Miller Mimi Hammerberg Prin, 10-5 Gtown 53:00 Wick Stanwick unassisted Prin, 10-6 Gtown 57:21 Anouk Peters FP Prin, 10-7 Prin 57:54 Charlotte Kenworthy Lauren Simone Prin, 11-7 Prin 59:54 Elizabeth Pillion unassisted Prin, 12-7