Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Tierneys Go Head-To-Head As Princeton Travels To Hofstra
March 14, 2007 | Men's Lacrosse
Princeton head men's lacrosse coach Bill Tierney has seen his nephew Seth Tierney on the opposing bench many times during his career. Princeton's game Saturday (4, WPRB 103.3 FM) at Hofstra will mark the first time he and Seth have matched up as head coaches. The Tierney-Tierney angle is a subplot; the main storyline is that Hofstra has defeated Princeton each of the last two years.
Princeton vs. Hofstra
The site Shuart Stadium • Hempstead, N.Y.
The date Saturday, March 17, 2007 • 4:00 p.m.
Radio WPRB FM 103.3; www.goprincetontigers.com
The rankings Princeton: No. 9 (Nike Inside Lacrosse)/No. 10 (USILA); Hofstra: unranked
The records Princeton: 2-2; Hofstra: 1-2
The coaches Princeton: Bill Tierney (23rd season overall, 244-82); Hofstra: Seth Tierney (1st season overall, 1-2)
The series Hofstra leads 11-9
Last year Hofstra defeated Princeton 9-5 • March 18, 2006
All in the family – Princeton head coach Bill Tierney is the uncle of Hofstra head coach Seth Tierney. Seth is the son of Bill's older brother Tommy, a retired New York City firefighter.
Proud of the Pride – Hofstra has defeated Princeton each of the last two seasons; Princeton had defeated Hofstra seven straight times prior to that.
Aw, shoot – Princeton is averaging 43.3 shots per game this season. Princeton averaged 35.2 shots per game a year ago and 32.4 shots per game two years ago.
More shoot – Princeton took 46 shots in the last two games against Hofstra combined (19 in 2006; 27 in 2005).
Last shoot – Princeton has scored 33 goals on 93 shots (.355 shooting percentage) in its two wins and has scored 12 goals on 80 shots (.150 shooting percentage) in its two losses.
Face it – Hofstra won 14 of 18 face-offs against Princeton a year ago, including 14 of 17 by the graduated Joe Mascaretti.
More face-it – Princeton has won 53.2% of its face-offs this year after winning 49.2% a year ago.
Hots for Tots – Princeton scored seven fourth-quarter goals to defeat Rutgers 15-8 Tuesday night and win the Harland [Tots] Meistrell Cup, given annually to the winner of the Princeton-RU game.
You never forget your first – Two different Princeton players (Charlie Kolkin, Mike DeSantis) scored their first career goal in the win over Rutgers. In addition, Derek Sudan had his first career point with an assist.
You never forget your 100th – Scott Sowanick went over the 100-point mark for his career in the win over Rutgers. Sowanick now has 102 career points (50 goals, 52 assists).
Instant replay – Princeton two losses were by the same score, 7-6 to Johns Hopkins in double overtime and 7-6 to Virginia on a goal with 25.4 seconds remaining.
More replay – Princeton has lost 7-6 to Virginia each of the last two years; no other team in that time has held Virginia under 10 goals.
Polling place – Princeton is ranked ninth in the Nike/Inside Lacrosse media poll and 10th in the USILA coaches' poll. Princeton's two losses are to teams ranked second (Hopkins) and third (Virginia) in the media poll.
Streaking – Josh Lesko has the longest current Princeton streak of consecutive games with at least one goal with nine; Lesko has scored exactly one goal in each of those nine games.
Tripp-le play – Tripp Shriner made his first career start in the win over Rutgers. Shriner, starting in place of injured Tommy Davis, had a goal and assist.
Go long – Princeton picked up its first two points of the year from longsticks in the win over Rutgers. Longstick midfielder Charlie Kolkin had a goal, while defenseman Dan Cocoziello had an assist.
Eight ball – Rutgers scored eight goals against Princeton Tuesday night. Princeton's first three opponents all scored exactly seven goals against the Tigers.
Can you spare a dime? – Tommy Davis has seven assists this season after having one all of last year.
Save it – Alex Hewit has 30 saves and 14 goals-against in the last two years against Virginia. No other goalie has held UVa under 10 goals since the start of the 2006 season; Hewit has done it twice.
I'm honored – Alex Hewit became the third Princeton goalie to play for Bill Tierney to win the Ensign C. Markland Kelly Award as the top goalie in Division I when he won the award last season, joining Scott Bacigalupo and Trevor Tierney.
Still more honored – Alex Hewit became the second player to play for Bill Tierney to be a first-team All-America without being first-team All-Ivy League. Hewit did so a year ago; Scott Bacigalupo did so in 1994.
The All-American boys – Princeton has six players who have earned All-America honors in their career: Alex Hewit (2006 first-team), Dan Cocoziello (2006 second-team), Zachary Jungers (2006 thid-team), Peter Trombino (2006 honorable mention), Mark Kovler (2006 honorable mention) and Scott Sowanick (2005 honorable mention).
D plus – Princeton allowed an average of 6.56 goals per game a year ago. It was the second-lowest goals-against for a Princeton team in Bill Tierney's 19 years as head coach; only the 2001 national championship team had a lower average (5.80).
More D – Princeton's 2007 starting defense consists of two Inside Lacrosse preseason first-team All-Americas (G Alex Hewit, D Dan Cocoziello) and one preseason second-team All-America (D Zachary Jungers).
The one and Trombino-nly – Peter Trombino is the only player in Princeton men's lacrosse history to have at least 20 goals and at least 10 assists as a freshman, sophomore and junior.
Lineup card – Peter Trombino, Scott Sowanick and Dan Cocoziello have started every game of their careers.
Welcome back – Mike Gaudio returns this season after tearing his ACL against Johns Hopkins last year.
A league of their own – Princeton tied Cornell for the Ivy League championship last 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.
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.
Princeton Lacrosse '07 ... By The Numbers
1 margin of defeat by Princeton in both of its losses, each by a 7-6 score to Johns Hopkins (double OT) and Virginia (goal with 25.4 seconds remaining)
2 consecutive years Hofstra has defeated Princeton
3 goals by Mark Kovler against Rutgers Tuesday night, all of which were assisted by Scott Sowanick
4 consecutive games away from home for Princeton (three away, one neutral-site two miles from the opponents' campus); Princeton returns home next weekend against Bellarmine
7 fourth-quarter goals by Princeton against Rutgers Tuesday night; Princeton had scored a total of two fourth-quarter goals in its previous two games combined
8 goals scored by Rutgers Tuesday night; Princeton's first three opponents had scored exactly seven each
9 consecutive games with at least one goal by Josh Lesko for the longest current streak by a Princeton player; Lesko has scored exactly one goal in each of those nine games
9:38 minutes and seconds Alex Hewit needs to play to reach the 1,400 mark for his career, which would make him eligible to listed among the NCAA's career leaders in goals-against average; Hewit's current GAA is 6.60, while the NCAA record is 6.65 by Princeton's Trevor Tierney, son of Tiger head coach Bill Tierney
10 team-high points for Tommy Davis (3-7) and Peter Trombino (9-1)
16 players with at least one goal; no Princeton player has more than nine
18 face-offs in last year's Princeton-Hofstra game, of which Hofstra won 14
30 saves by Alex Hewit against Virginia in the last two years
43.3 shots per game by Princeton, who averaged 35.2 per game a year ago and 32.4 shots per game in 2005
46 total shots by Princeton in its last two games against Hofstra combined, including 19 a year ago
102 career points for Scott Sowanick (50 goals, 52 assists)
119 career points for Peter Trombino (77 goals, 42 assists)
What Can You Say About ...
John Bennett
• in fourth season of splitting longstick midfield position
Alex Berg
• won 24 of 41 face-offs
• won 6 of 10 face-offs against Rutgers
• won 8 of 10 against Canisius
• won 6 of 12 against Virginia
Michael Biles
• had a goal in each of first two games
• missed almost all of last year with injury
• played in 24 games first two years
Dan Cocoziello
• preseason first-team All-America by Inside Lacrosse
• second-team All-America a year ago
• named to Tewaaraton Trophy preseason watch list
• unanimous first-team All-Ivy League defenseman in 2006
• had three goals last season, one off school single-season record for a longstick, set by John Harrington in 1998
• became first defenseman to be named Ivy League Rookie of the Year when he won the award in 2005
• has started every game of his career
• had an assist against Rutgers
Trip Cowin
• had an assist against Canisius
• came back from off-season knee surgery
Tommy Davis
• leads team with seven assists and 10 points
• had two goals and five assists against Canisius
• five assists and seven points were carer-highs
• had five assists against Canisius after having one all last year
• scored two goals on two shots against Canisius
• had a goal and assist against Hopkins
• had an assist against UVa
• had an eight-game goal-scoring streak snapped in game against UVa
• missed last six games of 2006 regular season with shoulder injury suffered against Syracuse; returned with five goals in two NCAA tournament games
• missed game against Rutgers due to injury
Mike DeSantis
• has won 19 of 35 face-offs
• had first career goal against Rutgers
• goal came 15 seconds after an RU goal had made it a two-goal game in the fourth quarter
• also had an assist against Rutgers for first career two-point game
• won 6 of 8 face-offs against Hopkins
• won 7 of 10 face-offs against Canisius
• won exactly 50% of his draws as both a sophomore and junior
Rob Engelke
• scored three goals against Canisius
• named Ivy League Rookie of the Week after that game
• became second Princeton player in last 12 years to score three goals in first game of freshman year (Tommy Davis did so in 2006)
• scored three goals on three shots against Canisius
• scored more than 100 points as a junior and senior at Garden City High School
Mike Gaudio
• tore his ACL in second quarter of last year's game against Hopkins and missed remainder of season
• returned from injury to play against Canisius
• had 13-game goal scoring streak snapped against Canisius
• had an assist against Virginia
• honorable mention All-Ivy selection in 2005
• scored 16 goals in 2005, most by a sophomore midfielder at Princeton since Josh Sims in 1998
Zach Goldberg
• top shortstick defensive midfielder
• had a goal and assist against Rutgers
• had an assist against Canisius
• has five career goals, all in transition
Whitney Hayes
• has started 30 career games
• had a goal against Canisius
Alex Haynie
• scored three goals against Canisius to tie career high
• had a goal against Virginia
• had two assists against UVa
• also scored three goals against Dartmouth last year
• active with Athletes In Action
Alex Hewit
• 2006 first-team All-America
• 2007 preseason first-team All-America
• named to Tewaaraton Trophy preseason watch list
• 2006 first-team All-America despite not being first-team All-Ivy League (Cornell's Matt McMonagle)
• career goals-against average of 6.60 would be best in
Division I history had he played required minimum of 1,400 minutes (he has 1,390:22); career record is 6.65, held by Trevor Tierney, son of Princeton head coach Bill Tierney
• made 10 saves against Virginia
• has made 30 saves and allowed 14 goals in last two games against UVa
• is the only goalie to hold Virginia under 10 goals during the last two seasons; he's done it twice
• made 10 saves against Johns Hopkins
• made 10 saves against Rutgers
• had a career-low .300 save percentage (seven goals-against, three saves) against Canisius
• has a career .628 save percentage
Zachary Jungers
• third-team All-America a year ago
• preseason third-team All-America by Inside Lacrosse
• named to Tewaaraton Trophy preseason watch list
• honorable mention All-Ivy League
• started every game on close defense last two years after being top longstick midfielder first two years
• held Colin Checcio, Rutgers' leading scorer, to one goal, which came with three minutes remaining
• competed at tryouts for U.S. national team in 2005
Charlie Kolkin
• No. 1 longstick midfielder
• scored first goal of career (second goal of game) in win over Rutgers
• has played in every game of career
Mark Kovler
• second-team All-Ivy League in 2006
• preseason honorable mention All-America
• 2006 honorable mention All-America
• was sixth all-time among freshman goal scorers (third among midfielders) at Princeton with 18
• had 10 straight-game goal-scoring streak snapped against UVa
• scored three goals against Rutgers to tie career high
• scored tying goal in fourth quarter against Johns Hopkins
• had two goals and an assist against Canisius
Josh Lesko
• preseason honorable mention All-America by Inside Lacrosse
• has one goal in each of first four games
• had a goal and assist against UVa
• had a goal against Hopkins and a goal against Canisius
• has a streak of nine straight games with at least one goal for longest current streak on team
• has exactly one goal in each of the nine games during streak
Scott MacKenzie
• had first career point with an assist against Canisius
Chris Peyser
• starting on close defense
• played in every game last year as fourth defender
• started one game a year ago
Brendan Reilly
• one of top shortstick defensive midfielders
• played in a backup role last year
Bob Schneider
• had two goals against Rutgers
• had a goal against Virginia and a goal against Canisius
• has played attack and midfield in career
Greg Seaman
• scored first career goal in win over Canisius
• had a goal against Rutgers
• won 2 of 5 face-offs against Canisius
• son of Towson coach Tony Seaman
Tripp Shriner
• made first career start against Rutgers
• had a goal and assist against Rutgers
Scott Sowanick
• named to Tewaaraton Trophy preseason watch list
• preseason second-team All-America by Inside Lacrosse
• honorable mention All-Ivy League in 2006
• had a goal and assist against Hopkins
• had a goal and three assists against Rutgers
• assisted on all three of Mark Kovler's goals against Rutgers
• had an assist against Canisius
• has started every game of career
• has 103 career points
Derek Sudan
• veteran shortstick defensive midfielder
• had first career point with an assist against Rutgers
• has played in every game last two years
Peter Trombino
• named to Tewaaraton Trophy preseason watch list
• preseason second-team All-America by Inside Lacrosse
• one of two active players in Division I lacrosse who has scored an overtime goal in an NCAA tournament game, which he did against Maryland in 2004 quarterfinals (UMass's Jim Connolly is the other)
• only player in school history with at least 20 goals and at least 10 assists as a freshman, sophomore and junior
• leads team in goals (nine) and is tied for team lead in points (10)
• had three goals against Virginia
• had two goals and an assist against Rutgers
• had a goal against Hopkins
• had three goals against Canisius
• has 77 career goals and 119 career points