Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Maryland
Tigers Come Back For 9-8 Victory over Maryland on Senior Night
May 03, 2006 | Women's Lacrosse
May 3, 2006
Box Score
As the final seconds ticked down with the ball in Kathleen Miller's stick Wednesday night at Class of 1952 Stadium, you could tell that this Princeton women's lacrosse win was different.
The jubilation after Princeton's 9-8 win over Maryland was about more than just a nice comeback win against the No. 6 Terrapins. It was also about a team that feels like it might just be hitting its stride at the right time.
"I definitely feel like we've worked on some things, and it's led to some great team lacrosse in the last few games," said unheralded defender Caitlin Abidin, one of six seniors honored before the game. "But we all know the most important game is coming up."
That game is Princeton's NCAA tournament first round game, in 11 days. But Wednesday night's game against the Terps, as usual, had an NCAA tournament atmosphere.
No. 14 Princeton (11-5), which has won its last three games and finished the regular season 9-1 after starting 2-4, used another strong second half to win this one. The key stretch was a 4-0 Tiger scoring run in a seven-minute span early in the half.
Katie Lewis-Lamonica's nice one-on-one move cut Princeton's deficit to 5-4 with 25:45 left, and a beautiful pass from Jamie Sundheim to Holly McGarvie resulted in the tying goal for Princeton three minutes later. The Tigers then went ahead for good with 21 minutes left when Alison Murray scored a free-position goal, then took a 7-5 lead when Katie Cox scored thanks to a terrific transition pass from Lauren Vance with 18:50 left. Delia Cox wouldn't let the Terrapins fall out of it, however, scoring twice in the final seven minutes, including a goal with 49 seconds left to make it 9-8 Princeton just moments after she came back onto the field following a yellow card. But the ensuing draw control found the stick of Princeton's Abidin, and the Tigers were able to run out the clock.
"I thought our defense was excellent tonight," said Princeton head coach Chris Sailer, whose teams have now won five of the last six meetings with Maryland. "And we really did a great job on both ends of the field in the second half."
The Terrapins entered the game averaging more than 13 goals per game but scored only eight Wednesday. Maryland entered the game averaging better than 30 shots per game, but Princeton held the Terps to just 17 shots, eight in the decisive second half.
Lewis-Lamonica had three goals to lead Princeton, while Murray and Miller each had two. Cox had three goals to lead Maryland, while Krista Pellizzi had two and Kelly Kasper one goal and two assists.
Maryland, which trailed 2-1 early, took a 4-2 lead into halftime after holding the Tigers without a goal in the final 23 minutes of the first half. The Terps took their first lead with 7:06 left in the half on a Pellizzi goal, then got a goal from Casey Magor in the final minute to make it 4-2.
Princeton won eight of 12 draw controls in the second half after winning just two of five in the first 30 minutes.
The game was the third straight one-goal affair between the Tigers and Terps in the regular season. Maryland won 13-12 in overtime last season, while Princeton won 8-7 in overtime in 2004. The win was also Princeton's fourth one-goal victory this season.
NOTES
* NCAA tournament selections will be announced on Mon., May 14, at 8 p.m. in a selection show televised live by CSTV (DirecTV Channel 610)