Princeton University Athletics
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Princeton Hosts UMBC In Opening Round Of NCAA Men's Lacrosse Tournament
May 11, 2006 | Men's Lacrosse
May 11, 2006
The NCAA men's lacrosse tournament begins at Class of 1952 Stadium Saturday at noon, when seventh-seeded Princeton hosts UMBC in the first of eight first-round games. Princeton is back in the tournament after missing last year's. UMBC, the America East champion, has won six straight. Princeton, the Ivy League co-champion, has won three straight and five of six.
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Princeton vs. UMBC
The site Class of 1952 Stadium • Princeton, N.J.
The date Saturday, May 13, 2006 • 12:00 p.m.
The records Princeton: 10-4 (5-1 Ivy League/co-champion); UMBC: 10-4
The seedings Princeton: No. 7; UMBC: unseeded
The bids Princeton: at-large; UMBC: automatic bid (America East Tournament champion)
The coaches Princeton: Bill Tierney (22nd season overall, 241-79); UMBC: Don Zimmerman (20th season overall, 163-99)
The series UMBC leads 6-3
Last year Princeton defeated UMBC 8-3 • March 17, 1990
Welcome back - Princeton returns to the NCAA tournament after a one-year absence. Princeton had played in every NCAA tournament from 1990-2004 before missing last year's postseason.
May madness - Princeton's .757 winning percentage (28-7) in NCAA tournament games is the best in Division I history.
More madness - Princeton has won six NCAA championships and played in 10 Final Fours since 1992.
Close shaves - Princeton is 14-3 all-time in one-goal NCAA tournament games.
In case it comes to that - Princeton is 6-1 all-time in NCAA tournament overtime games, including 4-0 in NCAA championship games that have gone to overtime. More OT - Princeton has won its last six NCAA tournament overtime games since a 14-13 triple-overtime loss to Towson in 1991. Princeton's last NCAA overtime win was in the 2004 quarterfinals over Maryland.
Before we get started - Peter Trombino is the only active player in Division I who has scored an overtime goal in an NCAA tournament game, prior to the start of this year's event.
Nice to see you again - Princeton and UMBC have met nine previous times, once a year between 1982 and 1990. UMBC leads the series 6-3.
Welcome - UMBC has never played at the Class of 1952 Stadium prior to this week's game.
Coach speak - Princeton coach Bill Tierney (six at Princeton) and UMBC coach Don Zimmerman (three at Johns Hopkins) have combined to win nine NCAA championships.
More coach - Princeton head coach Bill Tierney has 28 career NCAA tournament wins, second most all-time behind retired Syracuse coach Roy Simmons Jr. (31).
Final four-teen - Princeton has 14 players on its team who played in the 2004 NCAA semifinal game against Navy.
A league of their own - Princeton is one of four Ivy League teams in the NCAA tournament, along with Cornell, Harvard and Penn.
More league - Princeton tied Cornell for the Ivy League championship this season. It was the 13th Ivy League title in 19 seasons at Princeton for Tiger coach Bill Tierney; Princeton had not won an Ivy League championship for 21 years prior to his arrival.
D plus - UMBC is the 11th-highest scoring team in Division I. Princeton has already played six of the top 12 scoring offense teams in Division I; none of the six has exceeded its average and five of the six scored at least three goals below their average. The results: Team scoring offense goals per game against Princeton Virginia first 15.62 7 Hofstra second 12.65 9 Syracuse third 11.75 7 Cornell fifth 11.62 4 Dartmouth eighth 11.0 11 UMBC 11th 10.50 ??? Penn 12th 10.31 7 More D - Princeton has held its opponents to seven goals or fewer in 11 of 14 games this season.
Still more D - Princeton held Virginia, Hofstra, Syracuse and Cornell, who rank 1-2-3-5 in scoring offense in Division I, to a total of 27 goals; the four combined average almost 52 goals per game.
Last D - Princeton has allowed only one team to reach double figures in scoring this season (Dartmouth with 11).
20-20 - Princeton is the only team in the NCAA tournament that does not have a player with at least 20 goals or at least 20 assists.
More 20-20 - Princeton and Georgetown are the only two teams in the NCAA tournament without a player with at least 20 goals.
Still more 20-20 - Peter Trombino needs one goal and four assists and Scott Sowanick needs two goals and three assists to have 20 goals and 20 assists on the season, something that has happened 33 times previously in school history.
Seeing 30-30 - Only once has a Princeton player had at least 30 goals and 30 assists in the same season (David Tickner had 34 goals and 32 assists in 1976).
Strength of schedule - Princeton's four losses have come against teams seeded first (Virginia), third (Hofstra), fifth (Syracuse) and sixth (Cornell) in the NCAA tournament. The four losses have been by a combined nine goals.
More strength of schedule - Princeton is 3-4 against teams in the NCAA tournament field, with wins over Penn, Harvard and Johns Hopkins and losses to Virginia, Hofstra, Syracuse and Cornell.
Something in common - Princeton and UMBC have four common opponents. Princeton defeated Johns Hopkins, Penn, Brown and Binghamton, while UMBC lost to Penn and Johns Hopkins and defeated Binghamton twice and Brown.
Double play - Peter Trombino and Scott Sowanick are two of the four players in Princeton history to have double figures in goals and assists as a freshman, sophomore and junior. Jon Hess '98 and Kevin Lowe '94 are the other two; both had double figures in both all four years.
Class struggle - Princeton has scored 130 goals. The breakdown by class: Freshmen Sophomores Juniors Seniors 36 35 45 14
It's unanimous - Dan Cocoziello was a unanimous first-team All-Ivy League selection.
We're honored - Princeton had one first-team All-Ivy League selection (Dan Cocoziello), three second-team All-Ivy League selections (Peter Trombino, Mark Kovler, Alex Hewit) and three honorable mention All-Ivy selections (Ryan Schoenig, Zachary Jungers and Scott Sowanick).
Hot Coco - Dan Cocoziello has three goals this season. The Princeton single-season record for goals by a longstick is four, by John Harrington in 1998.
More Coco - Dan Cocoziello became the first defenseman ever to be named Ivy League Rookie of the Year when he won the honor a year ago.
The one and Trombino-nly - Peter Trombino needs one goal to give him at least 20 goals and at least 10 assists each of his first three seasons. No other Princeton player has ever had at least 20 goals and at least 10 assists as a freshman and sophomore, let alone as a freshman, sophomore and junior.
Alexander the great - Alex Hewit has made at least 12 saves in eight of 14 games this season.
More Alex - Alex Hewit ranks first in Division I in save percentage and fourth in goals-against average.
The nominees are - Alex Hewit is one of 25 players, and one of three goalies, nominated for the Tewaaraton Trophy.
Injury update - Mike Gaudio, who had at least one goal in 13 straight games, has been out since tearing his ACL at Hopkins March 4. Tommy Davis has not played since injuring his shoulder against Syracuse. John Bennett has missed the last three games with a groin injury.
For starters - Peter Trombino, Scott Sowanick and Dan Cocoziello are the only current Tigers who have started every game of their careers.
Welcome to the Jungers - Zachary Jungers has started every game on close defense this year after being the top longstick midfielder most of the last two years. Jungers did start three games at close defense in 2004 when Tim Sullivan was injured.
Aw, shoot - Princeton has held its opponents to a .192 shooting percentage for the season.
More shoot - Peter Trombino, Scott Sowanick and Mark Kovler have combined to take 237 of Princeton's 506 shots (46.8%).
Bling, bling - Princeton's four coaches have combined for 21 NCAA championship rings. Bill Tierney has six as Princeton head coach and two as an assistant coach at Johns Hopkins; David Metzbower and Bryce Chase have six each at Princeton; Greg Raymond has one as a player from Johns Hopkins a year ago.
Scoring equality - Peter Trombino and Scott Sowanick are tied for the team lead with 35 points. The two tied for the team lead in 2005, with 34 points each.
Triple play - No Princeton player has scored more than three goals in a game this season; six Princeton players have scored three goals in at least one game (Bob Schneider, Peter Trombino, Scott Sowanick, Alex Haynie, Mark Kovler, Tommy Davis).
Princeton Lacrosse '06 ... By The Numbers
0 meetings between UMBC and Princeton since 1990
1 first-team All-Ivy League selections for Princeton (Dan Cocoziello)
3 goalies among the 25 Tewaaraton Trophy nominees -Princeton's Alex Hewit, Navy's Matt Russell, Cornell's Matt McMonagle
4 players in school history who have had double figures in goals and assists as a freshman, sophomore and junior: current Tigers Scott Sowanick and Peter Trombino, along with Kevin Lowe '94 and Jon Hess '98
6 NCAA championships for Princeton since 1992
6.65 former Tiger goalie Trevor Tierney's career goals-against average, which ranks first all-time in the NCAA's men's lacrosse record book; current Princeton goalie Alex Hewit has a career goals-against average of 6.10 though he is 467 minutes shy of the 1,400-minute requirement
7 Ivy League schools that play men's lacrosse, of which four (Princeton, Cornell, Harvard, Penn) are in the NCAA tournament
8 games this season in which Alex Hewit made at least 12 saves
9 combined number of NCAA championships won by Princeton coach Bill Tierney (6) and UMBC coach Don Zimmerman (3)
11 UMBC's rank in Division I in scoring offense; the Retrievers will be the seventh team in the top 12 that Princeton will have faced, including four of the top five
13 Ivy League championships won in 19 years at Princeton by head coach Bill Tierney
14 players on Princeton's roster who played in the 2004 NCAA semifinal game against Navy two years ago
15 consecutive years Princeton had been in the NCAA tournament prior to last year
17 one-goal NCAA tournament games Princeton has played all-time; Princeton is 14-3 in those 17 games
19 team-best goals by Peter Trombino; only one other school (Georgetown) in the NCAA field does not have at least one 20-goal scorer
28 NCAA tournament wins for Bill Tierney, most of any active coach and second to former Syracuse coach Roy Simmons Jr. for the most all-time
757 winning percentage in NCAA tournament games for Princeton for the best in Division I history
What Can You Say About ... John Bennett • missed last three games of regular season with pulled groin • named Ivy League Player of the Week after Princeton's win at Johns Hopkins • forced seven turnovers in one-on-one situations against the Blue Jays • Princeton's top longstick midfielder Alex Berg • has taken 173 of Princeton's 261 face-offs • won 9 of his last 13 face-offs against Dartmouth • won 7 of 11 against Rutgers • won 19 of 24 face-offs against Canisius • won 8 of 12 face-offs against Binghamton, who had been in the Top 10 nationally in face-off percentage Mac Bryson • tied with Whitney Hayes for the most career NCAA tournament points with five • returned after taking the 2004-05 academic year off from school • scored goal against Canisius in first game back • also has goals against Hofstra, Butler and Harvard • had two assists against Binghamton • scored career-high three goals against Navy in 2004 NCAA semifinals Dan Cocoziello • unanimous first-team All-Ivy League defenseman • has three goals this season; single-season record for a longstick is four, set by John Harrington in 1998 • had a goal against Dartmouth • had a goal against Butler for first goal by a Tiger longstick in a span of 30 games • had a goal against Harvard • had assists against Binghamton and Yale • named Ivy Player of the Week after wins over Penn and Harvard • became first defenseman to be named Ivy League Rookie of the Year • has started every game of his career Trip Cowin • had first career two-goal game in win over Penn • had a goal against Dartmouth • scored game-winning goal against Hopkins, unassisted, late in the third quarter • had an assist against Virginia • scored goal against Butler Tommy Davis • suffered separated shoulder in game at Syracuse and has not played since • scored three goals in opener, did not score in next three games and then had six goals in next three games • scored three goals against Yale, all in the first half • scored three goals against Canisius to become the first Princeton player since Jesse Hubbard in 1995 to score three goals in first game freshman year • had two goals against Butler and one against Binghamton in first two starts Mike DeSantis • won six of 11 face-offs against Brown • won 7 of 12 face-offs against Harvard • had faced-off 10 times for the season prior to Harvard game, winning six • has won 23 of 45 face-offs this season • won 48 of 96 face-offs a year ago Mike Gaudio • scored Princeton's second goal against Johns Hopkins to make it 2-1 early in the second quarter • extended streak of consecutive games with at least one goal to 13 • suffered a torn ACL later in the game against Hopkins and will miss the remainder of the season • honorable mention All-Ivy selection a year ago • scored 16 goals in 2005, most by a sophomore midfielder at Princeton since Josh Sims in 1998 Zach Goldberg • one of top shortstick defensive midfielders • scored a goal against Rutgers • had two assists 19 seconds apart during second quarter of win over Penn; both were on Alex Haynie goals • scored goal in opener against Canisius • also scored against Virginia • had an assist against Binghamton • has four career goals, all in transition Whitney Hayes • tied with Mac Bryson for team lead in career NCAA tournament points with five • has started 28 career games, including nine this year • had a goal and assist at Syracuse and at Harvard • scored a goal against Penn • assisted on Peter Trombino's tying goal in the third quarter of win over Hopkins Alex Haynie • returned to starting lineup against Penn in place of injured Tommy Davis; had started first four games of the year • had career-highs of three goals and four points against Dartmouth • had two goals against Rutgers • had a goal against Cornell to put Princeton up 3-2 in fourth quarter • had a goal against Harvard • had two goals and an assist against Penn to tie career high of three points • goals came 19 seconds apart during 5-0 second quarter run • had a goal and assist against Canisius • scored a goal against Virginia • had a goal and assist against Yale • had a goal against Binghamton • had an assist against Brown Alex Hewit • one of 25 nominees for Tewaaraton Trophy • second-team All-Ivy League • first in Division I with a .658 save percentage and fourth in goals-against with a 6.04 average • has a career save percentage of .654 and a career goals-against average of 6.10; career goals-against would be best in Division I history had he played minimum 1,400 minutes (he has 1033:02) • has made at least 12 saves eight times in 14 games • had a .706 save percentage against Virginia, Hofstra and Cornell, the top three scoring teams in Division I; held three to a total of 20 goals, half of their combined average • made 15 saves while allowing four goals against Cornell for a .789 save percentage; Cornell had averaged 12.2 goals prior to the game • made 13 saves while allowing four goals against Rutgers • made 16 saves against Dartmouth for the second straight year • made 20 saves against Virginia • held UVa, the highest scoring team in the nation, to seven goals, more than 10 below its average coming into the game • had 15 saves while allowing four goals against Butler • had six saves while allowing one goal in 51 minutes against Binghamton • had 13 saves against Hofstra • made 12 saves against Yale and Penn • made seven saves while allowing four goals at Hopkins as Princeton snapped Blue Jays' 37-game home winning streak • six of seven saves against both Johns Hopkins and Harvard came in the second half • save with 1:15 remaining preserved 6-5 win over Brown that gave Princeton share of Ivy League title • played first 45 minutes against Canisius and allowed three goals Grant Hewit • senior tri-captain shortstick defensive midfielder • older brother of goalie Alex Hewit • had first career point with an assist against Harvard Zachary Jungers • honorable mention All-Ivy League • started all 14 games on close defense • played longstick midfield for most of first two years, except for starting three games on close defense freshman year when Tim Sullivan was hurt • competed at tryouts for U.S. national team last summer Charlie Kolkin • freshman longstick midfielder • has been No. 1 longstick midfielder with injury to John Bennett • has played in every game Mark Kovler • second-team All-Ivy League • tied with Ryan Boyle and Justin Tortolani for sixth all-time among freshman goal scorers (third among midfielders) at Princeton with 16; needs three to tie Lorne Smith for fifth overall and second for midfielders • Ivy League Rookie of the Week after having three goals and three assists in wins over Rutgers and Dartmouth • had a goal and two assists against Dartmouth • had two goals against Rutgers • had a goal and assist against Cornell • was only Princeton player with more than one point against Cornell • had a goal and assist against Penn • had five goals in two games against Butler and Binghamton • started his career with back-to-back multiple point games • scored one goal against Virginia while making first career start • had an assist against Syracuse • had a goal against Harvard • had a goal with 19 seconds remaining in the first half to tie Brown game at 3-3 • scored 47 seconds into first quarter against Hopkins • scored 58 seconds into first quarter against Binghamton • assisted on Peter Trombino's goal to give Tigers 4-3 lead late in the third • had two goals in opener against Canisius • had at least one point in first six games before going without a point against Yale; only played one shift against Yale due to stomach virus Dave Law • started every game two years ago in goal • Ivy Player of the Week after 15 saves in win at UVa sophomore year Josh Lesko • had an assist on Mark Kovler's goal with 19 seconds left in half to tie Brown game at 3-3 and then scored fourth-quarter goal to make it 5-3 of eventual 6-5 Princeton win • had a goal and assist against Dartmouth • had a goal and assist against Rutgers; goal came seven seconds into second quarter to tie score at 2-2 after Rutgers had taken lead with three seconds remaining in the first • had first career two-goal game at Syracuse • has goals against Canisius, Hopkins, Harvard and Hofstra • had one goal in each of first two games • has played mostly shortstick defensive midfield • goal in win over Hopkins came during 4-0 run as Princeton took control Jim O'Brien • senior tri-captain • had two goals against Dartmouth • had a goal and assist against Harvard • had a goal against Cornell • returned from injury that kept him out of Bulter/Binghamton weekend to have goal and assist against Yale • had a goal against Canisius and Hofstra • had an assist against Virginia and Penn Chris Peyser • has played in every game as fourth close defender • preserved win over Brown with a takeaway with 28 seconds left • had first career point with assist against Dartmouth • started against Butler when Ryan Schoenig faced off and played mostly shortstick • faced-off with longstick four times against Yale Bob Schneider • had a career-high three goals and four points against Penn • had two goals against Brown • snapped 3-3 tie with goal to start fourth quarter against Brown • had a goal and assist against Yale • scored one goal against Virginia • also scored a goal against Dartmouth and Binghamton • had an assist against Rutgers Ryan Schoenig • honorable mention All-Ivy League • has played longstick and shortstick defense • won 6 of 9 face-offs as shortstick Butler/Binghamton weekend • also played close defense against Butler and Binghamton Rich Sgalardi • scored first carer goal in win over Rutgers • has started two games Tripp Shriner • plays attack almost exclusively on man-up situations • had an assist against Yale • had a goal and assist against Penn • had a goal against Harvard Scott Sowanick • honorable mention All-Ivy League • Ivy League Player of the Week after nine-point week against Rutgers and Dartmouth (4G, 5A) • had three goals and two assists against Dartmouth • moved from midfield to attack for Butler game • has 26 points in last nine games after nine points in first five games • had a goal against Brown • had a goal and three assists against Rutgers • had three goals and an assist against Yale • had three goals and an assist against Penn • had career high five points (3-2) in win over Binghamton • had a goal and two assists against Butler • had a goal and assist against Hofstra • had 13-game point-scoring streak snapped against Hopkins • had two goals and two assists in opener against Canisius • tied Peter Trombino for team scoring lead a year ago with 32 points • has started every game of career Derek Sudan • veteran shortstick defensive midfielder • has played in every game Peter Trombino • second-team All-Ivy League • went over 100-point mark for career with first goal against Dartmouth; finished game with three goals and two assists • has 104 career points (65G, 39A) • held without a point against Cornell; first career game without a point; came back with two goals and assist against Rutgers • had 21-game goal scoring streak snapped against Cornell • had two goals and three assists against Penn • tied career-high with six points against Yale (3G, 3A) • had a goal and two assists against Virginia • had two goals and an assist during game-winning 4-0 run against Hopkins • scored two goals 1:40 apart late in third quarter against Hopkins, first tying game at 3-3 and then putting Princeton ahead for good • had a goal and assist against Hofstra • only player in school history with at least 20 goals and at least 10 assists as both a freshman and sophomore • has reached double figures in goals and assists as freshman, sophomore and junior • only active player in Division I lacrosse who has scored an overtime goal in an NCAA tournament game, which he did against Maryland in 2004 quarterfinals