The impressive performances of the fencing and diving teams over Spring Break certainly overshadowed those of Tigers who were not competing at NCAA championships. But with articles chronicling the achievements of both of those teams already appearing in this issue, the opportunity was there to give credit to a deserving, but less prominent Tiger as Athlete of the Break — senior midfielder Julie Shaner of the women's lacrosse team.
Though Shaner was not the team's leading scorer over a successful 3-0 Spring Break that included wins over two top-10 schools — Duke and Virginia — her value to the team was not noticable until it was missing.
The speedy midfielder and senior captain tallied two goals in the win over Virginia and led the Tiger offense by making sure everything moved smoothly.
She continued that solid play during Princeton's win at Duke, keeping the Tigers in control during a heavy rain storm that made the simplest plays difficult.
Princeton then returned home to take on Penn State — a team that had struggled to a 2-3 record early in the season.
The Tigers jumped out to a solid 8-4 halftime lead and looked to be in control once again. Shaner – while scoreless in the first half — had played a solid game defensively and was the key to the Tiger transition between defnse and offense.
Early in that second half, however, the senior was sprinting towards the net when she took a shot to the head from the stick of her defender and was knocked out of the game. Princeton then proceeded to break down defensively and gave up the next five goals before junior attack Kim Smith scored two goals in the final minute to pull out the 10-9 victory.
"I think we really missed Shaner out there today," head coach Chris Sailer said. "We needed someone to step up for her as the leader, and no one did."
Sometimes the value of thegreatest leaders is not recognized until they are absent from the field.
Read More
Men’s and women’s lacrosse seasons come to an end after NCAA losses
Hayk YengibaryanThe men’s lacrosse team had their season ended at the hands of No. 7-seeded Maryland. Meanwhile, women’s lacrosse earned an opening-round win before falling to No. 2-seeded Boston College.
The men’s lacrosse team had their season ended at the hands of No. 7-seeded Maryland. Meanwhile, women’s lacrosse earned an opening-round win before falling to No. 2-seeded Boston College.
Jesse Marsch ’96 appointed as Canada men’s soccer national team head coach
Hayk YengibaryanAfter managerial stints with RB Leipzig and Leeds United, Jesse Marsch ’96 will be on the sidelines for the Canadian national team as they prepare to compete in the 2024 Copa America this summer.
After managerial stints with RB Leipzig and Leeds United, Jesse Marsch ’96 will be on the sidelines for the Canadian national team as they prepare to compete in the 2024 Copa America this summer.
Tigers win Ivy League Softball Tournament to get automatic NCAA tournament bid
Andrew BosworthAfter four games, three of which were against the Harvard Crimson, the Princeton softball team prevailed on Saturday to win the 2024 Ivy League Softball Tournament, earning themselves a bid to the NCAA tournament.
After four games, three of which were against the Harvard Crimson, the Princeton softball team prevailed on Saturday to win the 2024 Ivy League Softball Tournament, earning themselves a bid to the NCAA tournament.
