Through the first five games of the season, the women's lacrosse team had averaged over 13 goals per game. Whether the opponent was Ivy League doormat Colum-bia, or Duke, the No. 3 team in the nation, Princeton had little difficulty putting points on the scoreboard.
All that changed, however, when No. 5 Virginia came to town to face the second-ranked Tigers. Using a tenacious defense and a patient, precise offense, the Cavaliers (8-2 overall) dominated Princeton, posting a convincing 9-4 victory Friday night at 1952 Stadium. Yesterday, the Tigers bounced back with a 14-3 win over Ivy foe Cornell.
Friday, Virginia controlled from beginning to end. Before Princeton (6-1, 2-0 Ivy League) could even gain possession of the ball, Cavalier midfielder Peggy Boutilier broke through the middle of the Princeton defense and scored to give Virginia a 1-0 lead just 34 seconds into the game. The Cavalier domination didn't end until the final buzzer, as Mia Mooney scored her team's ninth and final goal with just 17 seconds to play.
Bad game
The Tigers' performance was summed up by junior midfielder Cristi Samaras' one-goal, zeroassist effort. Having entered the contest with an astounding 20 goals and nine assists in just five games, Samaras was completely shut down by a Virginia defense that did a fantastic job of cutting down Princeton's transition opportunities.
The Cavaliers' victory was not characterized by any overwhelming offensive spurts. Instead, Virginia maintained an astonishing level of consistency throughout the game, Most of the credit for the Tigers' low scoring total should be given to the Cavalier offense. Instead of rushing to shoot at the first possible opportunity, Virginia ran its attack with remarkable patience and dominated the time of possession battle.
In fact, during most of their possessions, the Cavaliers didn't even attempt a contested shot. After falling behind early after Virginia scored three goals in the first nine minutes, the Princeton defense was forced to become more aggressive. While Virginia methodically passed the ball around, the Tiger defense had to gamble if Princeton was to regain control. By taking more risks defensively, Princeton also committed more fouls than the Cavaliers, leading to a pair of free position goals by Boutilier towards the end of the first half. By halftime, Boutilier had more goals (five) than the Tigers would score in the entire game as Virginia had taken a commanding 7-2 lead.
No continuity
"Defensively, I just think that we weren't playing as a team," senior defender Cory Samaras said. "They came up with some big plays."
The only bit of drama during the second half was brought on by Princeton's increasing frustration. Virginia's victory was all but clinched when Cristi Samaras received her second yellow card early in the second half for a slashing violation, resulting in her automatic ejection. With 1:03 remaining in the game, Cory Samaras followed her sister's lead, getting thrown out herself due to a checking violation.
This bizarre ending left Cavalier sophomore Stephy Samaras as the only member of the family still remaining in the game, a fact that Stephy, the youngest of the three sisters, joked about following the contest.
"I'm usually the first one to go," Stephy Samaras said. "They went first, which was surprising."
Bounceback
There was nothing surprising about Princeton's game yesterday against Cornell (4-2, 2-1). In that contest, the Tigers exceeded their entire scoring output in Friday's game during the first five minutes as they rolled to a 9-2 halftime lead en route to a 14-3 win.
Nobody bounced back better than Cristi Samaras, who scored four goals and added four assists. Freshman midfielder Julie ShanerÄ also came through, recording her second hat trick of the season and moving into second place on the team in goals.
"We wanted to come out hard and fast," head coach Chris Sailer said. "Friday was a tough loss. (Yesterday) was a great answer to what happened Friday."
After seeing its undefeated run come to an end, Princeton came back strong against the Big Red. Although the Virginia loss proved that the Tigers are not invincible; Princeton has no plans to let one game ruin an otherwise outstanding season.
Read More
Six for six: men’s and women’s track and field both complete triple crown
Luke StocklessMen’s and women’s track and field each won the Ivy League title this past weekend, capping off a dominant season in which both teams won the triple crown — a feat not seen in 14 years.
Men’s and women’s track and field each won the Ivy League title this past weekend, capping off a dominant season in which both teams won the triple crown — a feat not seen in 14 years.
Nation’s No. 2 miler Mena Scatchard ’25 to transfer to Stanford for graduate year
Luke StocklessThe Tigers’ most decorated distance runner ever has decided to use her final year of eligibility at Stanford after graduating from Princeton this May.
The Tigers’ most decorated distance runner ever has decided to use her final year of eligibility at Stanford after graduating from Princeton this May.
Two-way treats: Shenefelt and Kram do it all for Princeton baseball team
Joseph UglialoroThe baseball team features two players who hit and pitch, a rarity at the college level. Nick Shenefelt and Kaden Kram each took unique paths to playing both ways this season.
The baseball team features two players who hit and pitch, a rarity at the college level. Nick Shenefelt and Kaden Kram each took unique paths to playing both ways this season.