Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
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Princeton Falls To Yale 11-10 In Ivy Final, Does Not Get NCAA Bid
May 03, 2015 | Men's Lacrosse
Final Stats
The somber mood in the Princeton locker room was exactly what it was after the Ivy League men's lacrosse tournament championship game in 2012.
The question was whether or not Princeton's mood later would be the same as it was three years ago as well. Sadly, it was not meant to be for the Tigers.
Princeton fell to Yale 11-10 in the Ivy League tournament championship game Sunday afternoon. The outcome left the Tigers squarely on the fence for the NCAA tournament selections, and Princeton did not get a bid when the pairings were announced.
Back in 2012, Princeton also dropped the Ivy final to Yale and also had a long, long wait until the selections. That time, the Tigers were rewarded with an at-large bid.
The 2015 Ivy final saw the teams reverse the score of their regular-season game, won by the Tigers that day. This time, the outcome wasn't decided until Princeton's last chance to tie came up empty as the final horn sounded.
The loss overshadowed an incredible effort from Zach Currier, who faced-off, played defensive midfield and played offensive midfield. He had a goal and eight ground balls, and he also won 11 of 24 face-offs against a Yale tandem of Jonathan Reese and Conor Mackie that had won 17 of 24 against Princeton in March. He was relentless, even after face-off losses, which he often turned into turnovers.
Princeton trailed 11-9 before Mike MacDonald scored with 27 seconds left to make it a one-goal game. Currier then won the face-off to give the Tigers a chance, and he bounced a shot wide with 2.5 seconds left. Princeton's last effort ended without a shot after the restart.
NOTES -
* Kip Orban led Princeton with four goals and an assist, giving him 100 for his career and 45 for his incredible senior year. Orban's 45 goals are the most ever by a Princeton middie and the fifth-best by an Ivy middie ever.
* Orban, Currier, MacDonald and Gavin McBride made the all-tournament team.
* McBride had two goals and and assist, giving him 24 goals and 13 assists for the year. Ryan Ambler had three assists.
* Princeton led twice, at 7-6 on Sam Gravitte's goal - his second of the year for the only two by Princeton longsticks this season - and 8-7 on Orban's fourth with 13:33 left in the fourth. McBride tied it at 9-9 before Yale scored 1:41 apart to go up 11-9 with 4:27 left.