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Princeton University Athletics
One More to Go
May 22, 2004 | Women's Lacrosse
May 22, 2004
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There's only one more team in the way of a third straight national title and a first-ever undefeated season for the Princeton women's lacrosse team. Not surprisingly, that team is the Virginia Cavaliers.
The two best teams in the game in 2004 meet in Sunday's NCAA championship game at Princeton Stadium (2 p.m., CSTV, GoPrincetonTigers.com, WHWH-1350) in a rematch of last season's title game at Syracuse's Carrier Dome. The Tigers won that game, and a second-straight national title, thanks to Theresa Sherry's overtime goal. Sherry's three goals helped Princeton run past Vanderbilt 11-3 in the semfinals yesterday.
Sunday's game between the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the nation in the final IWLCA rankings is also a rematch of a regular-season game from this year. Princeton hosted Virginia at Class of 1952 Stadium back in March, on a day when the temperature was less than half of what it will be Sunday in Princeton Stadium, and the Tigers won 12-9 thanks to five goals, and five caused turnovers, from Sherry.
Sunday's matchup will mark the third time in the 23-year history of the National Collegiate/NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse championship that two teams will meet in the championship game in consecutive years. Maryland and Virginia met in both 1998 and 1999, with the Terps winning both times, while Temple and Penn State met in both 1987 and 1988, with the Lions winning the first meeting and the Owls winning in 1988. The Tigers are also looking to repeat a feat accomplished by the Princeton men's lacrosse team by winning their third straight national title. Bill Tierney's team won the NCAA championship in 1996, 1997 and 1998.
Today's Note of the Day
Best vs. the Best? Princeton and Virginia have each tied or set records for wins in a season in 2004, and the teams have combined to win 37 games in a row heading into Sunday's title game.
Five More Things You Can't Live Without
Rematch Report 1? Princeton and Virginia met in last season's NCAA title game in Syracuse. Theresa Sherry's overtime goal gave the Tigers an 8-7 win and a second-straight national championship.
Rematch Report 2 ? Princeton defeated Virginia 12-9 earlier this season at Class of 1952 Stadium. The Tigers led 12-6 late in the game before the Cavaliers scored three times in the final six minutes.
Rematch Report 3? Today's game marks the third time in NCAA tournament history two teams have met in the championship game in consecutive years. Maryland and Virginia met in 1998 and 1999, while Temple and Penn State met in 1987 and 1988.
Rematch Report 4 ? Princeton and Virginia have met twice before in the NCAA championship game. The Cavaliers' last national title came in 1993, when they defeated the Tigers 8-6.
Rematch Report 5? Princeton has won five of its last six games against Virginia, though four of those wins have come by one-goal or two-goal margins.
More Notes & Anecdotes
Seen This Before? ? The Tigers are looking to become the second Princeton lacrosse team to win three straight NCAA titles. The Princeton men won the NCAA championship in 1996, 1997 and 1998.
Home Front ? Princeton is looking to become just the second team to win the NCAA Division I women's title at home. Maryland won the championship while playing at home in 1986.
Numbers Game? The Tigers have won 28 straight games dating back to last April. Princeton was the only women's or men's Division I lacrosse team to finish the regular season without a loss.
NCAA Numbers ? The Tigers have won 11 straight NCAA tournament games overall and 15 straight NCAA tournament games against teams other than Maryland.
Lockin' Em Down? Princeton has allowed just 14 goals in three NCAA tournament games. The Tigers have allowed just 53 goals in their last 10 games.
Must've Been the Halftime Speech ? Princeton has outscored its three NCAA tournament opponents 23-8 in the second half.
We're Honored ? Nine of Princeton's 12 starters for most of this season were All-Ivy League picks.
Record Breaking ? Lindsey Biles needs three goals in the national championship game to become Princeton's all-time single-season goal-scoring leader. Cristi Samaras had 56 goals in 1998.
Gimme 50 ? Lindsey Biles is just the third Princeton player to score 50 goals in a season. Cristi Samaras did it twice (1996, 1998), while Lauren Simone scored 50 in 2002.
Gimme 70 ? Lindsey Biles is just the third Princeton player to score 70 points in a season. Samaras had 85 in 1998 and 72 in 1996, while Simone had 77 in 2002.
More Broken Records?? Theresa Sherry (161) needs two goals against Virginia to pass Lisa Rebane and move into second-place all-time on Princeton's career goals list.
Even More Records ? Theresa Sherry (197) moved into third place all-time on Princeton's career points list with three goals against Vanderbilt.
I'm Honored II ? Theresa Sherry is a finalist for both the Tewaaraton Trophy and CSTV's Diane Geppi-Aikens Scholarship.
All-Around Player? Elizabeth Pillion leads the Tigers in groundballs and draw controls and is third on the team with 32 goals.
Young Gun ? Kathleen Miller, who had two goals against Vanderbilt, was named the Ivy Rookie of the Year. She has at least two goals in 11 of Princeton's 19 games this year.
When She Shoots, She Scores ? Tara Hardiman's 20 goals this season have come on just 33 shots. Hardiman leads all Princeton regulars with a .606 shooting percentage.
Career Year ? Liza Hillenbrand has 14 goals this season after scoring 14 goals combined her first three years. Hillenbrand has missed Princeton's first two NCAA games due to injury.
The Gold Standard ? Ingrid Goldberg has scored 15 goals in her past 13 games after scoring six goals in her first two seasons at Princeton. She had a goal and an assist against Vanderbilt.
Taking it Away ? Katie Norbury leads the Tigers with 26 caused turnovers this season. Norbury was a second-team All-America in 2003.
Reimers & Reason ? Freshman Caitlin Reimers has started every game this season at either midfield or attack. Reimers scored just her second goal of the season against Vanderbilt Friday.
Experience Counts ? Princeton starts five seniors and three juniors this season. Five of those eight players were also full-time starters last season.
NCAA Facts ? Princeton (2002 and 2003) and Maryland (seven straight from 1995 through 2001) are the only schools to win consecutive National Collegiate of NCAA Division I championships.