Ivy League title at stake for w. lacrosse in game with Dartmouth

In athletic competition, there are big games and BIG games. The Yankees and the Red Sox in a climactic seventh game or the Connecticut and Tennessee women's basketball teams in any game know about such stakes.

This Saturday's showdown at Class of 1952 Stadium between Princeton and Dartmouth is that kind of battle, and at stake is the championship of Ivy League women's lacrosse. Both the Tigers and the recent pretenders to the throne, the Big Green, enter the bout unbeaten against league opponents, and this showdown is bound to be memorable.

While the Big Green (9-2 overall, 6-0 Ivy League) can clinch the league title and an automatic NCAA tournament berth with a win, a Princeton (13-0, 5-0) victory gives the Tigers that bid but only guarantees a share of the league title, which they could then clinch with a win next week over Brown.

The past 10 years have been a struggle between Princeton and the Big Green for the top league spot. The teams have shared the title three times. Dartmouth has been the sole recipient four times, and the Tigers three times.

As the record makes clear, this rivalry has developed intensity, so it is only fitting that the Big Green stands in Princeton's way of adding another accolade to this season. "Every year the competition is intense," senior defender Katie Norbury said. "[Going up against Dartmouth] adds a little extra motivation because we know that they are always gunning for us, and we know how big these games are."

The ball stops here

Goaltending will be crucial to both teams' chances for victory. The Tigers are better than the Big Green in goals against average by an infinitesimal 0.01 percentage point — 6.40 to 6.39 — but Dartmouth holds the advantage in save percentage. As snipers on both squads have demonstrated their scoring proficiency, the outcome of the game will be decided on which goalie displays quicker reactions and net presence.

Devon Wills, the Big Green's standout goalie, enters the game as the reigning Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week, an honor she received for the second time this season. Boasting 85 saves and a .570 save percentage, she has been particularly pivotal in Dartmouth's many close games.

The Big Green, however, will have to face Princeton junior goalie Sarah Kolodner, also a stalwart in net.

As the season has progressed and the Tigers have justified their hold on the apex of national lacrosse, her performances have steadily improved. Supported by an outstanding defensive corps, Kolodner has given up 10 goals only once this season and has held the opposition to five goals or fewer in five of the team's 13 wins.

"Sarah plays so well against tough teams;" Norbury said. "They are really some of her best games. It is great knowing that she is always there behind us [every game]."

Marked player

Two-year captain, 2003 unanimous first-team All-Ivy selection and Tewaaraton Trophy nominee Lana Smith leads Dartmouth's offense. With 11 more goals and 11 more assists than her nearest teammate, Smith is unquestionably the Big Green's goto player.

"We'll need to shut her down using some good one-on-one defense," Norbury said. "Our success comes from the support of the defense, double teams, closing off the open player and marking closely."

Smith's consistent and exceptional performances, however, are not always sufficient to propel Dartmouth to victory. In the team's two early-season losses, Smith's teammates failed to provide enough support to get the wins despite her hat tricks in each game.

Depth in scoring production has been a hallmark of the Big Green's success — in eight of its nine wins at least five players have notched goals.

This extra attack has been split among four members of the Dartmouth midfield unit. If Princeton can force the Big Green to expend undue energy in its defensive end, these players will be less likely to contribute offensively.

Despite Dartmouth's many talents and impressive record this season, it seems like anything it can do Princeton can do better. As long as Princeton executes its game plan, focuses on team play and shuts down the Big Green's main offensive threat, the Tigers should continue their winning ways. If that happens, they will go a long way toward capturing another league crown.