Princeton University Athletics
Pre-Championship Press Conference
May 27, 2002 | Men's Lacrosse
May 27, 2002
SYRACUSE
Head Coach John Desko
"We're very exited to be back here. Congratulations to Princeton and Coach Tierney and the staff. They showed why they're champions on their way to this game. They never panic and they're a great team. For us, I think we've achieved our goals throughout the season. Now, we have a chance to achieve the biggest goal on Monday. We're very exited to have the opportunity to play again on Monday."
(When asked if it's a good thing for lacrosse to have Syracuse and
Princeton in the final for the third year in a row)
"I think it's great for the sport. A lot of people have come to expect
these teams in these games, and have become more familiar with us. I think
people can turn on the TV and know who (Michael) Powell is, or (Josh)
Coffman, (John) Glatzel, (Ryan) Boyle or (B.J.) Prager. So I think that's
great for the sport."
(When asked if he was concerned about starting a freshman (Jay Pfeifer)
in goal tomorrow)
"There is always a concern with youth, but we couldn't be happier with
how he's played. The last three games were one-goal games, and he's made
great saves in every game. We used his red-shirt season well; We had him
travel with the team to get experience, and I think he learned from that."
Billy St. George, Sr., D
"We lost last year in overtime in the championship game, and you think back, and maybe if we didn't cut any corners, the outcome may have been different. So, that was one of our goals this season, to not cut any corners and go all out every day."
Josh Coffman, Sr., A/M
(When asked where the Princeton loss last year ranks in his sports
career)
"It was one of the worst moments in my sports career. Going into
overtime yesterday, we knew how it felt to lose in that situation, so that
was the motivation for us."
(When asked if he wanted to face Princeton again in the championship
game)
"It really didn't matter who won that first game yesterday. Hopkins beat
us in the regular season in a game that we thought we could have won. We
kind of gave the game to them. With Princeton, it's a chance for us to get a
little revenge, but it really didn't matter to me who we played."
PRINCETON
Head Coach Bill Tierney
"To wake up Sunday morning after a day like yesterday is a great feeling. It 's nice to be here on Memorial Day weekend playing Syracuse, especially with fewer spots available in the tournament this year. It's pretty unique to have Princeton and Syracuse show up in the finals once again."
"I don't want to put myself in the same class with Roy Simmons. He was a very fortunate man to be in a place like Syracuse. When I think of Simmons, I think of a different era of lacrosse and a man who has given so much to the game. I think of Roy Simmons and I think of lacrosse history."
"I think that even though both games were low scoring, there was great goalie play, and both teams were feeling each other out. This is the eighth time in the last four years we've played Syracuse, so we know each other and have a mutual respect for each other. We're both going to go hard at one another, and I think (Michael) Powell said it best when he said it wouldn't be the championship if Princeton and Syracuse weren't playing each other."
"You have to give Syracuse a lot of credit because everyone knows the three guys they have that are going to score, but on any give day they can have someone step up and play. We can't worry about that, we just put our game plan in and hope and pray and see what happens."
Brendan Tierney, Sr., A
"My favorite Princeton/Syracuse moment was probably last year's championship. Winning the championship was an amazing feeling, especially winning in OT. Losing the championship game two years ago was probably the worst. To get that far and lose to them 13-7 was hard. It's nice to get another shot at them again this year."
"Early in the season, our midfield struggled, but we got it together and started our run, and that was a big key to our offense."
Dan Clark, Sr., M
"We both have similar programs. We have the same goals entering the season - ours is to win the Ivy League and then the National Championship. In high school, I dreamed of stepping onto the field at Rutgers and playing for the national championship. Both programs prepare you to play in the title game, and because we both have the same goal, it's hard to say that one is a better place to go to than the other."
"We don't have set lines in practice, so all eight guys have played and gotten to know each other. All of the midfielders have gelled and play well together, and it's a boost when the attack is pressured and the midfielders are able to hold the ball and help out."