Princeton University
Maryland (NCAA Quarterfinal)
Players Mentioned
Princeton Falls To Maryland In NCAA Men's Lacrosse Quarters
May 21, 2006 | Men's Lacrosse
May 21, 2006
Final Stats
Towson, Md. - For the second time in three years, Princeton made an amazing comeback against Maryland in the NCAA men's lacrosse quarterfinals. Unfortunately for the Tigers, this one came in the wrong half.
Princeton spotted Maryland an early four-goal lead, caught up to tie it in the second half and then saw the Terps pull away steadily after that en route to an 11-6 win at Johnny Unitas Stadium at Towson University.
The loss ended Princeton's season at 11-5 with a share of the Ivy League championship as well. Maryland advances to play Massachusetts in the semifinals Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
"Maryland was great," Princeton coach Bill Tierney said. "You have to give them a lot of credit. They came out and shot the lights out."
Princeton returned to the NCAA tournament this year after missing last year's event, ending a 15-year run of postseason appearances. Princeton played in the 2004 Final Four after defeating Maryland 9-8 in overtime in the quarterfinals, stunning the Terps with two goals in the final two minutes of regulation, including one with 12 seconds left, and then winning it on Peter Trombino's goal in overtime.
This time, Princeton's comeback was equally as shocking, as Princeton, who trailed 4-0 and 5-1 in the first quarter, scored four times in a span of 2:57 of the second quarter to tie it at 5-5 with 8:41 to go in the half.
Undaunted, Maryland scored twice more before halftime to lead 7-5 at the break and then pulled away in the second half to lead 11-5 before Josh Lesko scored for Princeton with 32 seconds to play. Lesko's goal ended a 38:09 scoreless stretch for Princeton. "I thought the sixth and seventh goals for them were big," Tierney said. "We tied it up, but then they got it right back."
The win was the first for Maryland over Princeton in six NCAA tournament matchups, a fact etched in the mind of the Terps. In all, there were 27 players in the game who had played in the game two years ago.
"You don't want to talk about it too much," said Maryland coach Dave Cottle, whose oldest daughter Taylor is Tierney's goddaughter. "You do that, and you turn yourself into the Chicago Cubs."
It was 4-0 Terps after 7:14 into the first quarter and 5-1 after Scott Sowanick was able to get the Tigers on the board before Maryland's Michael Phipps answered.
Just when it looked like Princeton was in major trouble, the Tigers exploded for four goals in 2:57, getting two from Tommy Davis and one each from Peter Trombino and Mark Kovler.
"We went in at halftime and felt okay," said Trombino. "We thought we were going to be able to score some goals, but it didn't work out that way."
Princeton hurt itself with failed clears and turnovers, especially after won face-offs. Alex Hewit made 16 saves for the Tigers in the loss.