Blake Scores Six In Women's Lax Opener But No. 8 Virginia Escapes, 13-11

Saturday, February 15

Princeton, N.J.

11:00 AM

Princeton University

1-0,0-0

No. 8 Virginia

2-0,0-0

Virginia

Princeton

Photo by: Shelley M. Szwast

Blake Scores Six In Women's Lax Opener But No. 8 Virginia Escapes, 13-11

February 15, 2025 | Women's Lacrosse

Box Score

An early-season Top-20 matchup between No. 17 Princeton and No. 8 Virginia lived up to everything this storied rivalry is supposed to be as the two squads went back-and-forth on a cold – and eventually snowy – day at Sherrerd Field before Cavaliers pulled away late for a 13-11 win.

The Tigers (0-1) were playing their first game of the season, while the 'Hoos (2-0) had one full game under their belts. Perhaps that extra 60:00 of game action was the difference in this game, but early reports for the Tigers in 2025 are promising as they gave a Top-10 opponent fits all day long.

The biggest factor for the Tigers was McKenzie Blake. The Tewaaraton Award Watch List selection ahead of the start of the season showed she may be a bigger piece of that discussion as she dialed up six goals.

McMasterful!

McKenzie Blake with a highlight-reel BTB to tie things up!@NCAALAX | @USALacrosseMag | @ILWomen | @IvyLeague #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/rglceb9VKS
— Princeton Women's Lax (@princetonwlax) February 15, 2025

Three of Blake's goals were assisted by Haven Dora, part of a four-assist day for Dora – also a Tewaaraton Award Watch List selection this preseason. Dora added a goal for a five-point day to open her season.

Three other Tigers had a goal in the game, including Nina Montes, Meg Morrisroe and Maggie Molnar.

CHOO CHOO!

The Nina Montes Train Has Left The Station!

A direct route to goal and the first score of her senior season! pic.twitter.com/848CasSYwQ
— Princeton Women's Lax (@princetonwlax) February 15, 2025

Virginia's offense saw four different players each record hat tricks – Jenna DiNardo, Kate Gallica, Addi Foster, and Kate Miller.

Gallica's three goals were important, but more so was her work on the draw circle where she won 12 of Virginia's 20 draws.

How It Happened

Virginia burst out to a 3-0 lead, scoring three times in the first 2:17 of the game with goals from three different scorers.
The Tigers crept back in with a pair of free position goals from Haven Dora and Maggie Molnar in a span of 1:30.
McKenzie Blake tied the game with a highlight-reel goal, taking a Dora pass and firing behind her own back to make the score 3-3 with 1:42 to play in the first quarter.
A pair of Virginia goals regained a two-goal lead for the Cavaliers midway through the second quarter, but the Tigers closed with a pair of their own before halftime to send the game to the break tied up, 5-5.
Blake was involved in both goals, the first coming when UVA goalkeeper Mel Josephson saved Blake's original shot before she pulled the ball back into her own goal while trying to secure it for a clear attempt – registering a team goal for the Tigers in the process.
The next goal was a more traditional one for Blake as she picked up the rebound after a Nina Montes free position was stopped and fired it off the ground and in.
After the Cavaliers scored the first goal of the third quarter, Princeton rattled off four in a row to take a 9-6 lead. McKenzie Blake had three goals in that run, with Nina Montes scoring the other.
UVA answered to tie the game before the end of the third period, with Addi Foster scoring twice in 1:08 and Kate Miller adding the third to send the game to the fourth quarter even at 9-9.
Two Tiger goals early in the fourth gave Princeton an 11-9 lead as Blake and Meg Morrisroe scored 1:09 apart.
The counterpunch was again there from the Cavaliers as they scored the game's final four goals including a pair from Miller and Gallica 0:51 apart to tie the game and then two from Jenna DiNardo who provided the game-winner and an insurance tally.