Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Rutgers NCAA first round
Boyle, Freshmen Lead Princeton Past Rutgers, Into Quarterfinals
May 15, 2004 | Men's Lacrosse
May 15, 2004
Box Score
Video:
Ryan Boyle on CSTV's Tourney Talk
Windows Media Player | Real Player
Ryan Boyle scored a career high four goals and added two assists to lead sixth-seeded Princeton to a 12-4 win over Rutgers in the opening round of the NCAA tournament in front of 3,521 at the Class of 1952 Stadium Saturday afternoon. The Tigers (10-3) advance next Saturday's quarterfinal round at the University of Virginia, where they will play the winner of Saturday night's game between Army and Maryland. Princeton has reached the quarterfinals for the 13th time in the last 14 years.
It also marked the 16th straight time Princeton has defeated Rutgers, including a 9-7 win on April10, also at the Class of 1952 stadium. Princeton improved to 27-8 in NCAA tournament games, the best record in Division I history.
"This was a very good game for us," said Boyle, the 2004 Ivy League Player of the Year. "I thought we played really well. Rutgers is a very good team, but we were ready to play from the beginning."
Boyle, who had previously scored three goals in six different games, now has eight goals and 20 assists in nine career NCAA tournament games. He also has 223 career points and 153 career assists, both second-best all-time at Princeton.
In addition to Boyle, Princeton had freshman Scott Sowanick, Peter Trombino and Whitn ey Hayes combine for five goals and two assists in their first NCAA tournament game.
"We had to throw the freshmen out there early and play them a lot," said Princeton coach Bill Tierney. "I have to say a lot about the way Ryan Boyle, Jason Doneger, Drew Casino and Ricky Schultz have emerged as leaders with this young group."
The three key goals of the game came in the final minute of the first and second quarters. Princeton scored the first two of the game before Rutgers got on the board with a Leif Blomquist goal with 44 seconds remaining in the first quarter, but Boyle answered that with his second of the day with six seconds remaining to make it 3-1 Princeton after one.
The Tigers led 6-2 late in the second quarter and then scored twice 12 seconds apart to make it an 8-2 halftime lead. Hayes scored on a long run after a timeout with 22 seconds to go, and Drew Casino then won the face-off to give Princeton possession again. Casino then got the ball to Boyle, who fed Ivy Rookie of the Year Peter Trombino for a goal with 10 seconds left.
"We always say goals in the last minute of quarters are huge," Tierney said. "Those goals today gave us a lot of momentum."
Rutgers scored the first goal of the second half before Princeton scored the next three. It was 11-4 at the end of the third.
"Princeton has improved greatly since we first played them," said Rutgers coach Jim Stagnitta. "They were very well-prepared to play, and they came out and played a great game. But I think everyone in red today feels that our program is headed in the right direction."
Trombino, who has at least one goal in all 13 games this season, scored two goals against Rutgers, while Sowanick had two and Hayes had one goal and two assists. Casino and Doneger scored one each to keep alive their streaks of having at least one in every game this season; Doneger has scored at least one in 29 straight games,, the second-longest streak in school history (trailing only Chris Massey's 46 straight). John Robinson scored his second career goal when he scored in the second quarter.
Only Boyle and Doneger had ever scored an NCAA tournament goal for Princeton prior to this season.
Tim Sullivan held Rutgers' leading scorer, Delby Powless, without a goal. Princeton held Powless to one goal in two games.
Dave Law made eight saves for Princeton. Greg Havalchak made eight for Rutgers.