With four starters not available to play, the men's lacrosse team ran into a cold day and a hot goalie as it lost to unranked Dartmouth on Saturday, 13-6.
With the loss, Princeton (9-3 overall, 4-1 Ivy League) falls into a second-place tie with the Big Green (10-2, 4-1) in the Ivy League. Both teams sit one-half game back of front-runner Cornell (8-4, 5-1). Cornell has already finished its conference schedule, while Princeton and Dartmouth each have one game remaining. Should both teams win, there would be a three-way share of the league title. In that case, the Ivy League's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament would be decided by a random drawing.
On Saturday, the Tigers came into the game with a severely shortened roster. Senior attackman Sean Hartofilis, the nation's leading goal scorer, was not on the active list after being suspended for violating team regulations. Junior defenseman Ricky Schultz missed his second game with a sprained ankle, while senior midfielder Owen Daly, plagued by injuries all year, was forced to sit out of the match. Junior midfielder and face-off specialist Drew Casino also missed the game due to injury.
Without Hartofilis, Daly and Casino, the offense rotated in players who had not seen as much playing time this year. As a result, the rhythm that had been so comfortable and fluid during the Tigers' nine-game winning streak was not present.
Though senior midfielder Will MacColl scored just two and half minutes into the contest, Princeton ended the first period down 3-1 and found itself in a 5-1 hole before sophomore midfielder Mac Bryson netted the team's second goal on a man-up advantage with two minutes left in the half. Bryson has seen increasing minutes all year and played regular shifts against Dartmouth.
Kicked while down
Down 5-2, Princeton got the ball back, threatening to score again and shift the momentum going into the locker room. But just seconds later, a Tiger turnover allowed Dartmouth midfielder Tom Daniels to record his fifth point of the half for an unassisted goal.
With the Dartmouth faithful cheering blissfully into the frigid April rain, the Big Green took momentum and a 6-2 lead into halftime.
In the third quarter, Princeton dominated time of possession, but Dartmouth goalie Andrew Goldstein held the host Tigers off the board. Using swift kick saves and quick hands that would shame Muhammad Ali, Goldstein recorded 17 saves on the afternoon and showed why he is one of the most respected goalies in college lacrosse.
The six-goal output by Princeton matched a season low for the Tigers.
With just over three minutes left in the third quarter, Princeton finally broke through on Goldstein as sophomore attackman Jason Doneger converted on a Houdini-like pass from junior linemate Ryan Boyle. But as was common all game, the Tigers were unable to build any momentum. With just 16 seconds left in the frame, Dartmouth put one past senior netminder Julian Gould to push the lead to 7-3.
In the fourth quarter, every Princeton goal seemed to be answered twofold, as the Big Green outscored the Tigers, 6-3, in the period, including Daniels' fourth goal of the game.
Gould finished the game with just three saves while allowing all 13 goals.
Offensively, Princeton was led by Boyle, who tallied a goal and two assists. The two dishes give Boyle 27 on the season, breaking the Ivy League record of 26 set by Cornell's Pat Gallagher in 1972 and matched in 1987 by the Big Red's Tim Goldstein. Dartmouth, not ranked in the top 20 coming into Saturday's matchup, should vault up in the rankings when the new polls come out this week. Despite its strong record, Dartmouth was undoubtedly not given due credit as a result of its weak non-conference schedule.
Princeton, though not at a real risk of losing a bid to the tournament, may have cost itself a great deal in terms of seeding.
The Tigers close out the regular season next week when they host Brown. Dartmouth plays at Harvard in its season finale.
Read More
Women’s ice hockey names Courtney Kessel as new head coach
Lily PampolinaFollowing the resignation of Cara Gardner Morey, Princeton appointed Courtney Kessel as head coach.
Following the resignation of Cara Gardner Morey, Princeton appointed Courtney Kessel as head coach.
Former women’s basketball forward Parker Hill ’25 signs professional contract in Switzerland
Doug SchwartzAfter a successful senior season, women's basketball forward Parker Hill signed a contact to play professional basketball in Europe, following in the steps of her past teammates.
After a successful senior season, women's basketball forward Parker Hill signed a contact to play professional basketball in Europe, following in the steps of her past teammates.
No. 7 women’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals against No. 1 UNC
Hayk YengibaryanWith the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
With the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.