Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
North Carolina
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After Fast Start, Princeton Falls To North Carolina
March 12, 2011 | Men's Lacrosse
For the third time in its three games to start the 2011 men's lacrosse season, Princeton built itself a three-goal first-quarter lead.
For the second time, momentum changed quickly.
In a game that was nearly a carbon-copy of its opener two weeks ago against Hofstra, Princeton started fast before falling to North Carolina 9-5 in front of 2,740 on a chilly night at Class of 1952 Stadium.
Princeton, ranked seventh, is now 1-2, while No. 10 North Carolina improved to 5-1. The Tigers are home again Tuesday night when they host Villanova.
"We've played some good team," said Tiger defenseman Chad Wiedmaier. "To be 1-2 is hard, but there's still a long season to go."
Princeton led Hofstra 4-1 after seven minutes in its opener, which became an 11-9 loss, and then led Johns Hopkins 3-0 in five minutes last week in what became an 8-3 win.
This time, it was 3-0 Princeton after 13 minutes on a pair of Forest Sonnenfeldt goals and one by Chris McBride, with two assists in that span to freshman Tom Schreiber.
By the end of the quarter, though, it would be 3-2, after Carolina's Mark McNeil scored, Princeton committed a penalty and UNC's Marcus Holman scored again on the extra man. Just like that, the early momentum was gone.
"It was a lot like Hofstra," said Tiger head coach Chris Bates. "Give North Carolina credit. They took control of the game."
The goal-penalty-goal scenario played out twice against Hofstra, who would dominate possession and face-offs as well in the game two weeks ago. North Carolina followed the same script.
The Tar Heels would score seven unanswered goals spanning the first through third quarters, and it would be nearly 26 minutes between McBride's goal to make it 3-0 and one from Schreiber to make it 7-4 Carolina in the third. Tyler Moni followed to make it 7-5, but Carolina would score the only two goals of the fourth quarter.
"We had some momentum," Bates said. "But when we did, they made some important plays."
In the end, UNC outshot Princeton 39-26 and won nine of 15 face-offs, a number that was 9 for 13 in the first three quarters.
Princeton goalie Tyler Fiorito had a strong night with 14 saves.
Thomas Wood had three goals for UNC. Nicky Galasso, who along with Princeton's Schreiber were ranked 1-2 among incoming freshman in Division I this year, matched Schreiber with a goal and two assists.
UNC All-America attackman Billy Bitter was held without a goal or assist by Princeton's Long Ellis.