Princeton Men's Lacrosse: Portugal Day 6

Friday TigerBlog from Portugal

There are worse ways to get over a close loss, especially one that didn't really count, than a relaxing two-hour cruise along the Tagus River in Lisbon. And if that doesn't work, then how about a little impromptu Portugese kareoke?

That's how it went yesterday for the Princeton men's lacrosse team.

Before the start of the second game between the Princeton men's lacrosse team and the English national team in Portugal, the coaches agreed to have a postgame international overtime session of two four-minute quarters.

Had it not been for English goalie William Baxter, the overtime would have happened for real.

Baxter made six fourth-quarter saves, including one with his shin as Princeton's Andrew Bowman drove to the crease as time expired, as England rallied for a 12-11 win over the Tigers at the National Sports Complex in Lisbon Friday.

The game was the second of three between the two, who have now one won each. Princeton defeated England 15-5 Thursday in the first game, and the teams will play again Sunday at 8 before each flies home.

The game was tied at 5-5 at halftime before Princeton opened up a 10-6 lead, as five different Tigers scored in the third quarter. The lead was gone in a blink, though, as England scored six times in a 6:40 span to start the fourth quarter and grab a 12-10 lead.

Bowman brought Princeton within one with 9:07 left, and neither team would score again. Baxter made all six of his fourth-quarter saves from that point, and none of his saves was easy.

Postgame with the English captain pic.twitter.com/moCblU6ODi
— Princeton Lacrosse (@TigerLacrosse) November 4, 2016

Princeton was led by Gavin McBride's second straight three-goal game against the English, and he also had an assist for a four-point day McBride finished the 2016 regular season with at least three goals in six straight games, which is the longest such streak by a Princeton player since Sean Hartofilis in 2001.

No other Princeton player had more than one goal. Michael Sowers had a goal and two assists, giving him two straight three-point games.

England lefty attackman Ryan Hunns had four goals and two assists, including one goal from about 12 yards out with his stick just in his right hand.

After the game, Princeton immediately went to the harbor, where it was divided into groups of six or seven to head out sailing on the Tagus. After that, it was dinner in one of the quaint neighborhoods that make up Lisbon.

After dinner came the singing. First, there were a few Portugese singers. Then it was Princeton's turn.

The highlights for the TIgers? Braedon Gait, who also played the guitar. And Sam Bonafede and Riley Thompson, who sang, what else?, John Denver's "Country Roads."

The Tigers will have another youth clinic Saturday morning and then a joint practice with the English team.

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Sam Bonafede

Braedon Gait

Gavin McBride

Riley Thompson