Princeton University
Lafayette
Chris Sailer Wins 200th, Women's Lacrosse Rolls Over Lafayette
March 05, 2003 | Women's Lacrosse
March 5, 2003
Box Score
Princeton, N.J. - There was no rust to be found in Princeton's offense machine in the 2003 season opener on Wednesday night. The Tigers scored three times in the game's first five minutes to help Chris Sailer win her 200th career game as head coach. A solid 15-6 victory over Lafayette moved Sailer into select company, as she became the 14th coach and only third woman to ever reach the 200-win plateau at Princeton.
Senior Alex Fiore scored 1:22 into the contest and junior Theresa Sherry scored 27 seconds later to have the Tigers off and running. Junior Liza Hillenbrand made it 3-0 before Fiore and Sherry added goals four and five. Senior Whitney Miller scored two of the next five goals to give Princeton a commanding 10-0 halftime lead. "We really came out and played a solid first-half," says Sailer. "I was very happy with the effort and am excited about what we can do this season."
The Tigers scored 10 goals on 16 first-half shots and held Lafayette to zero shot attempts. Princeton registered 14 ground balls and won seven draw controls to build its insurmountable halftime lead.
Lafayette answered Princeton's first-half barrage with the first goal of the second period. Jill Marvin scored at 36:21, but junior Tara Hardiman answered with a Tiger goal to push the lead back to 10 goals. The Leopards would outscore Princeton 6-5 in the second period but still finished with half as many shot attempts for the game (26-13).
Junior Katie Yakulis, Fiore, Miller and Sherry all scored two goals on the night. Junior Katie Norbury picked up a game-high five ground balls and classmate Mary Beth Hogan registered a team-high four caused turnovers.
"With preseason being a month long, we were just ready to play against someone other than ourselves," says Fiore. "This team was ready and it felt good. We're just happy for Coach Sailer and her 200th win."
Sailer's career mark stands at 200-68. Now in her 17th season at the helm, she has won two national championships, six Ivy League titles, has nine Final Four appearances and 11 NCAA tournament appearances to her credit. She is 1-0 for the 14th time in her career at Princeton and holds a 13-4 record in home openers.
"A win like this lets me reflect on all the special moments and teams I've had at Princeton," says Sailer. "To cap it off with this group is something I will remember for quite some time."
The top-ranked Tigers extend their school-record winning streak to 20 games and shift their focus to Sunday's match-up against No. 5 Loyola. That game is slated for a 2 p.m. start at Class of 1952 Stadium.