Women's Lacrosse Edged By #16 Virginia, 14-12, In Season Opener

Saturday, February 17

Charlottesville, Va.

12:00 PM

Princeton University

0-1

No. 16 Virginia

3-0

Princeton

Virginia

Photo by: Brian McWalters

Women's Lacrosse Edged By #16 Virginia, 14-12, In Season Opener

February 17, 2024 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

The 2024 season opener for the Princeton women's lacrosse team showed glimpses into what fans can expect as the Tigers scored 12 times on 24 shots while outpacing No. 16 Virginia on the draws, 19-10. However, a Cavaliers team which was playing its third game of the season was just a few plays better than a Princeton team in its first contest of the season to the tune of a 14-12 decision in Charlottesville.

Grace Tauckus had four goals and two assists, while Samantha DeVito had two goals and four draw controls. Six other Tigers scored in the game, including Meg Morrisroe who netted her first collegiate goal.

Jami MacDonald had a four-point game, scoring once and adding three assists. Haven Dora had a three-point afternoon, dishing out two assists to go with one goal.

McKenzie Blake won seven draw controls to lead all players, adding a goal and an assist as well as two ground balls.

Sophie Whiteway caused three turnovers and picked up three ground balls, also contributing a goal and an assist.

Ellie Mueller returned to the lineup after suffering an injury last April and won five draw controls.

The Tigers went 2-for-8 on free positions, missing on their first six before Tauckus scored a pair down the stretch.

The Tigers never led in the game, but were within range throughout most of the contest.

After MacDonald scored for the Tigers with 6:18 remaining in the first quarter, Virginia scored the next three to take a 6-2 lead early in the second period. DeVito and Morrisroe would answer for the Tigers with the next two goals to get back within two, but Princeton was never able to get any closer than that the rest of the way.

A three-goal Virginia run to open the second half turned an 8-5 UVA lead into an 11-5 advantage, but the Tigers responded with seven of the game's final 10 goals to claw back in.

Tacukus scored three times in the final 22:14 of play, including the game's final two goals to get the Tigers within two with 1:09 to play. Off the ensuing draw, Virginia gathered possession and was able to run out the clock to improve to 3-0 on the young season.

Kiki Shaw had three goals for Virginia, as did Katia Carnevale. Morgan Schwab had a goal and four assists. Mel Josephson made 12 saves, stopping 50% of shots faced during the game.

Princeton is back in action on February 24 at Penn State. Opening draw with the Nittany Lions is set for 1 p.m.