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Princeton University Athletics
Tigers, Dartmouth Meet Again in NCAA Women's Lacrosse Quarterfinals
May 18, 2006 | Women's Lacrosse
MapQuest says the Princeton women's lacrosse team's trip to Dartmouth is about 300 miles, about the same distance the Tigers traveled last weekend on the way to an upset win at No. 2 seed Virginia in the NCAA tournament's first round.
But that's not the only similarity between last weekend and the situation that faces the Tigers Saturday, when they meet their Ivy rival with a final four berth on the line. Game time between Princeton and Dartmouth at Scully-Fahey Field in Hanover, N.H., is 1 p.m.
For one, there are the memories of a regular-season meeting that wasn't Princeton's best day. When the Tigers hit the road to Charlottesville, they did it with the resolve to prove that a 16-3 loss to the Cavaliers March 25 wouldn't happen again. When Princeton steps onto the field against the Big Green, they'll do it hoping to make a 15-5 loss April 22 a distant memory.
Then, there is the familiarity aspect. Like with Virginia, Princeton will be meeting Dartmouth for the third time in the NCAA tournament since the tournament went to 16 teams in 2001. All three of those games will have come in the quarterfinals, and Princeton hopes to improve to 3-0 in those games.
The Tigers will also look to end a two-game losing streak to the Big Green after stopping a three-game losing streak to Virginia. Princeton had won five straight against Dartmouth before last season; the Tigers had won six of seven against the Cavaliers prior to the 2004 national title game.
Princeton, which never trailed in its win at Virginia, is hoping to become just the second team (Vanderbilt in 2004) since the tournament expanded to 16 teams in 2001 to advance to the final four by winning two games on the road.
Dartmouth, the tournament's No. 7 seed, defeated Boston University 9-4 in the first round on Sunday.
Saturday's game will be broadcast live at GoPrincetonTigers.com with Ed Benkin providing play-by-play. The winner plays the winner of the Georgetown-Notre Dame quarterfinal in the second national semifinal on Fri., May 26, at BU's Nickerson Field.
Today's Note of the Day
We Meet Again -- Princeton and Dartmouth are meeting in the NCAA quarterfinals for the third time in the six seasons that the Division I championship has featured 16 teams.
Five More Things You Can't Live Without
Second Chances -- Princeton lost to Dartmouth by a 15-5 score April 22. The Tigers defeated Virginia in the NCAA first round on Sunday after losing to the Cavaliers 16-3 March 25.
Drive For Five -- Princeton has a 4-0 record against Dartmouth in the NCAA tournament (1983 first round, 1995 semifinal, 2001 and 2004 quarterfinals).
Season Redux -- Princeton (6-1) was the Ivy League co-champion along with Cornell in 2006; Dartmouth finished a game back at 5-2, with losses to Cornell and Yale.
Top of Their League -- Either Princeton or Dartmouth, or both teams, have won the Ivy League championship in each of the last 14 seasons (1993-2006).
Orange & Green -- Dartmouth has won two straight against Princeton. Prior to that, Princeton had won five straight against the Big Green.
NCAA Notes & Anecdotes
To the Nines -- Princeton's nine straight NCAA quarterfinal appearances (1998-2006) are the longest current streak in Division I.
Survive & Advance -- Princeton and Georgetown are the only two teams to have reached the quarterfinals in each of the six seasons the Division I championship has featured 16 teams.
Sweet 16 -- Princeton has never failed to reach the quarterfinal round in its 16 NCAA tournament appearances.
History Lesson -- Since the NCAA tournament went to 16 teams in 2001, only one team (Vanderbilt in 2004) has reached the final four by winning road games in both the first round and quarterfinal round.
Percentage Game -- Princeton head coach Chris Sailer has the best winning percentage in NCAA tournament games among active Division I coaches (27-11, 71.1%).
Numbers Game -- Princeton's 28 NCAA tournament wins rank second all-time behind Maryland, which has 35 all-time NCAA wins.
Even More Postseason -- Princeton has reached the final four 10 times in the last 14 seasons (1992 through 1996 and again from 2000 through 2004).
Unseeded, Unbeaten -- Princeton won the national championship as an unseeded team in 2003. The Tigers defeated the No. 1 seed (Loyola) and the No. 3 seed (Virginia) in the final four to win the NCAA title that year.
Team Notes & Anecdotes
Turning It Around -- Princeton has won 10 of its last 11 games after beginning the season 2-4.
Close Ones -- The Tigers have won five games by one goal this season. Princeton has played eight games that have been decided by two goals or less.
Second to None -- The Tigers have allowed just 33 goals in the second half in their last 11 games. Princeton has outscored those 10 opponents 61-33 in the second half.
Blips on the Radar -- Princeton was outscored 31-8 in losses to Virginia and Dartmouth but outscored its 14 other opponents 157-113 in the regular season.
Well Tested -- Princeton played 10 regular-season games against teams that were ranked in the top 20 at game time and five regular-season games against top 10 teams.
Who's The Boss -- Princeton head coach Chris Sailer earned her 250th career win March 29 at Columbia. Sailer, who now has 259 victories, is the second-winningest active Division I coach behind Maryland's Cindy Timchal.
Balancing Act -- 17 of Princeton's 27 field players have scored at least one goal this season. Only three players have scored 20 or more goals.
We're Honored -- Princeton had five players make All-Ivy teams in 2006; Dartmouth had six players earn All-Ivy honors.
I'm Honored -- Lauren Vance was named the Ivy League's Co-Player of the Year along with Cornell goalie Maggie Fava.
More Honored -- Lauren Vance was one of 21 nominees for the Tewaaraton Trophy honoring the national player of the year.
Helping Out -- Kathleen Miller is now tied for eighth all-time at Princeton with 51 career assists. Miller earned unanimous first-team All-Ivy honors this season.
More Honors -- Katie Lewis-Lamonica scored the game-winning goal with 2:14 left against Virginia Sunday. Lewis-Lamonica was named a second-team All-Ivy pick on Tuesday.
What a Pick Me Up -- Freshman Holly McGarvie was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Year on Tuesday. She leads Princeton in draw controls (43) and ground balls (44).
Last Honors -- Caitlin Abidin and Holly McGarvie each earned second-team All-Ivy honors in 2006.
Injury Report -- Kristen Schwab is out for the season after sustaining a knee injury March 25 against Virginia. Schwab had 13 goals in her first six games prior to the injury.
In the Lineup -- Caitlin Reimers has started all 55 games in her three seasons at Princeton. She has played defense, midfield and attack in that time.
Big Time -- Jamie Sundheim scored the game-winning goal in overtime against Dartmouth in the 2004 NCAA quarterfinals.
Cagey -- Colleen O'Boyle had nine saves in the second half in the win at Virginia, including two in the final two minutes after Princeton had gone ahead.
Switching Up -- Alison Murray has scored 10 points in her last four games (six goals, four assists). Murray played defense as a freshman in 2005.
Ashley on Attack -- Ashley Amo had three goals in the win at Virginia. Amo became the sixth Princeton player with 10 or more goals.
Passing Through -- Katie Atkins is second on the team with eight assists despite the fact she has played in only 10 of Princeton's 17 games this season.