No. 23 Women's Lacrosse Wins Jersey Tussle Over No. 22 Rutgers, 13-10

Wednesday, February 28

7:00 PM

Princeton University

2-1

No. 22 Rutgers

4-1

Rutgers

Princeton

Photo by: Shelley M. Szwast

No. 23 Women's Lacrosse Wins Jersey Tussle Over No. 22 Rutgers, 13-10

February 28, 2024 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

No. 23 Princeton battled a cross-state rival and the elements in its home opener, coming out on top of both to the tune of a 13-10 win over No. 22 Rutgers are Sherrerd Field.

The Tigers (2-1) trailed, 4-1, late in the first quarter before rattling off a six-goal sprint over the next 17:34 of game play to take a 7-4 lead and not look back. A Haven Dora goal 0:21 into the second quarter game Princeton a 5-4 lead and the Tigers never looked back.

Livin' DeVito Loca!

Samantha DeVito with a gorgeous behind-the-back goal on the fly for Princeton!

Coming soon to a #SCTop10 near you!@ILWomen | @USALacrosseMag | @IvyLeague pic.twitter.com/kGAmHYUAAV
— Princeton Women's Lax (@princetonwlax) February 29, 2024

That goal and subsequent lead -- the first time all season through 4+ games that Rutgers trailed -- sparked the Tigers to their second win over a ranked Big Ten opponent in five days after an 18-13 win at then-No. 22 Penn State on Saturday.

Kari Buonanno had five points to lead the Tigers, scoring a goal and dishing out four assists. McKenzie Blake and Jami MacDonald each had hat tricks, while Grace Tauckus (1 goal, 2 assists) and Samantha DeVito (2 goals, 1 assist) each had three point nights.

DeVito's first goal was a highlight-reel offering, taking a Kari Buonanno pass in stride and firing a behind-the-back beauty home to give the Tigers an 8-5 lead just 2:50 into the third quarter.

Amelia Hughes made the attack's efforts stand up with 16 saves, including seven in the second quarter while allowing just one goal.

Mueller Time!

Great movement on the man-up leads to an open Ellie Mueller and our first goal of the night. pic.twitter.com/FZZpguCmIB
— Princeton Women's Lax (@princetonwlax) February 29, 2024

Eight different players had points for the Tigers -- seven of which had at least two -- as a balanced attack held the Scarlet Knights aft bay after the initial 4-1 rush to open the game.

Five different scorers helped the Tigers flip the script as part of the 6-0 run over the end of the first period and most of the second. Only Blake had multiple goals, while Dora, Buonanno, MacDonald, and Tauckus each had a goal as Princeton pulled away.

1:50 (3Q) Easy Mac!

Jami MacDonald with a high-percentage look and score for a 12-6 lead! pic.twitter.com/GR8XcUT5pH
— Princeton Women's Lax (@princetonwlax) February 29, 2024

Rutgers never really rallied as Princeton started the third quarter as dominant as it ended the second -- with a 5-1 sprint which pushed Princeton to a 12-6 lead with 1:50 left in the third period. The Scarlet Knights scored twice to open the fourth, but a second goal from DeVito squashed any hopes of a rally as the two teams navigated blustery wind and rain the rest of the way.

The Tigers open up Ivy League play against No. 21 Yale on Saturday at home. Opening draw with the Bulldogs is set for 12 p.m.