Burns Has Record-Setting Debut As Princeton Rolls Past Monmouth 15-5

Sunday, February 18

Princeton, NJ

1:00 PM

Princeton University

1-0

Monmouth

1-1

Monmouth

Princeton

Colin Burns (0) and Nate Kabiri celebrate during Princeton's 15-5 win over Monmouth.

Photo by: Shelley M. Szwast

Burns Has Record-Setting Debut As Princeton Rolls Past Monmouth 15-5

February 18, 2024 | Men's Lacrosse

Box Score

Let's just say it was a pretty good day for Georgetown Prep lacrosse on Sherrerd Field Sunday afternoon.

The dynamic freshman attack duo of Colin Burns and Nate Kabiri, both high school All-Americans at Georgetown Prep a year ago, combined for 12 points, and the Princeton defense, coordinated by Georgetown Prep grad Jeremy Hirsch, shut out Monmouth for the final 34:04 as the Tigers rolled past Monmouth 15-5 in its season opener Sunday.

Burns had a four-goal, three-assist game, tying the Princeton record for points in the first game of a freshman season. Michael Sowers had seven (2G, 5A) in his first game in 2017.

The game was delayed by 24 hours and moved to Princeton's Sherrerd Field due to the snowstorm Saturday.

"First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who worked hard to allow us to play this game," Princeton head coach Matt Madalon said. "Coach [Brian] Fisher gave up a home game. Our facilities and event staffs stepped up and had everything ready to go. The fans from both teams came out. Our whole program is very appreciative of all of the efforts."

With all the talk of the arrival of Burns and Kabiri, and with returnee Coulter Mackesy back after setting Princeton's single-season record of 55 goals last year, the first goal of the season actually came from longstick midfielder Pace Billings, assisted by Burns for his first point. It was a 3-2 Monmouth lead 10 minutes in, but Princeton outscored the Hawks 13-2 the rest of the way, including 8-0 in the second half after leading 7-5 at the break.

Burns went off for his four goals and three assists, while Kabiri and Mackesy both had three goals and two assists. Chad Palumbo, starting in the midfield, also had three goals, a career high.

Monmouth goalie Tommy Heller made 14 of his 18 saves in the first half to keep his team in the game. The 18 saves were a Monmouth single-game record.

Defensively, Michael Gianforcaro made 13 saves while allowing five goals in 52 minutes, before giving way to Ryan Croddick, who made one save the rest of the way. Princeton caused 14 turnovers in the game, with Billings, Cooper Kistler and Michael Bath with three each.

Andrew McMeekin won 11 of 20 face-offs with eight ground balls, and Tyler Sandoval, in his first action since tearing his ACL in midseason a year ago, won 2 of 4.

Princeton hosts Manhattan Tuesday night at 6 and then takes to the road for four straight, starting Saturday at Maryland and then continuing at North Carolina, Duke and Rutgers.