Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Johns Hopkins
Players Mentioned
Princeton Falls To Johns Hopkins In 2OT In "Classic" Game
March 03, 2007 | Men's Lacrosse
The venue, the intensity and the weather suggested late May instead of early March. So did the disappointment when it was over.
Paul Rabil's goal 56 seconds into the second overtime gave Johns Hopkins a 7-6 win over Princeton Saturday afternoon in the opening game of the Inside Lacrosse Face-Off Classic at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The game, the first in a doubleheader that featured Virginia and Syracuse in the nightcap, was played at the site of the upcoming Final Four Memorial Day weekend and had the feel of championship weekend.
Princeton, Hopkins, Virginia and Syracuse have combined for all of the last 15 NCAA titles and 43 of the 60 spots in the Final Four during that time, and the inaugural Face-Off Classic drew a crowd of 20,180 to the home of the Baltimore Ravens. The crowd was the largest regular-season crowd in lacrosse history.
With temperatures way above where they'd been for February, the game had the feel of something much different than the second game of the season.
"The good part about losing at M&T Bank Stadium at this time of year is that you can work your way back," said Princeton coach Bill Tierney. "It was a great lacrosse game. Somebody has to lose it, and it's tough when that's you."
Princeton fell to 1-1 heading into next weekend's game at Virginia, while Hopkins improved to 1-1 after its opening day loss to Albany.
Princeton led 2-0 and 3-1 early, but the teams were either tied or separated by a goal for all of the final 42:33 of the game. Princeton's Mark Kovler forced the overtime with a goal with 7:05 to play in regulation, and Tiger goalie Alex Hewit kept it tied with a great save on Hopkins' Kevin Huntley as time expired in the fourth quarter.
The Tigers won the face-off to start the overtime and controlled the ball for the first three minutes before Hopkins goalie Jesse Schwartzman kicked away Alex Haynie's shot from in front. Hopkins was unable to convert during the remainder of the overtime, but Princeton would never regain possession.
Hopkins took the face-off to start the second OT, and Jake Byrne then hit the pipe on the first shot. The rebound bounced to Hopkins' Stephen Peyser, who fed to Rabil and watched as Rabil rocketed a shot that Hewit had no chance to stop. Rabil and Hewit are the lone returning first-team All-Americas in Division I lacrosse this year.
"He's a big, strong kid with a hard shot," Hewit said of Rabil. "He put it in a perfect spot."
Princeton led 2-0 after the first quarter on goals by Scott Sowanick and Tommy Davis, but Hopkins rallied to tie it at 3-3 at the half. It was 5-5 after the third quarter and 6-5 Hopkins when Michael Doneger scored on an extra-man goal. Doneger is the younger brother of former Princeton great Jason Doneger and former Hopkins great Adam Doneger. Kovler answered Doneger's goal less than two minutes later to retie it.
Princeton had six players score one goal each, as Sowanick and Davis were joined by Peter Trombino, Josh Lesko, Mark Kovler and Michael Biles. Hewit made 10 saves, while Schwartzman made 17 for the Blue Jays.
"I thought both goalies were great," said Tierney. "I thought they were both spectacular. The thing about a game like this is that you give yourself some time to feel bad about it and then you move on to next week."