Philly pipeline: Murray follows in Pillion's footsteps

In her first game against Johns Hopkins, Alison Murray did nothing spectacular except play virtually mistake free defense.

It turns out that that in itself is spectacular, which is why women's lacrosse head coach, Chris Sailer, has made her one of two freshman starters on the women's lacrosse team.

"Alison Murray [is] solid on defense [and] was one of our most consistent kids down in Australia" Sailer said.

Murray realizes the importance of the trip to Australia in transitioning her game to the college level and its impact on the team in general.

"It was while we were there playing against the Australian National Team that I began to feel like I could handle this level of play," she said. "[We] learned what we have to do to compete against top teams."

Since the Tigers lost two star defenders to graduation last year — one All-American and an All-Ivy League selection — the defense is the Achilles heel might be the otherwise stacked squad. Even with senior goaltender Sarah Kolodner in net and senior Lauren Vance anchoring the unit, the Tigers are looking anywhere they can for players to provide stability on defense.

The team is looking to Murray to be one of those players. And because of the defensive situation, her learning curve must be steep. But it already seems to be heading in the right direction.

"She's going to be really great this year, I think," Kolodner said. "She played phenomenally in Australia."

Australia was simply Murray's first big test, though. Her performance Down Under was merely a product of her preseason work. Murray attributes much of this early success to her coach, who Murray said has had a huge impact on her in the short time they have been working with each other.

"[Coach Sailer] has given me the guidance and confidence that I need to go out and take on some of the other teams' best scorers and shut them down," Murray said.

Hailing from Bryn Mawr, Pa., Murray was a two-time All-American in high school at Episcopal Academy, where during her freshman year she played alongside then Episcopal senior, now Princeton senior, Liz Pillion. She also garnered two All League selections as well as a pair of All-Main Line honors. Episcopal won three league title.

Considering her prep success, the only one who has been surprised with Murray's performance so far may be Murray herself.

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"Knowing the skill of the returning players, I just wanted to be able to contribute in any way that I could," she said.

"Any way she can" may turn out to be quite a bit. Murray played nearly all 60 minutes against Hopkins. And though it was not perfect — she gave up two turnovers — it was a solid first effort.

It also turned out to be a little emotional for Murray. Though she has been to games as a spectator, "running out onto the field during the introductions as a player was completely different," she said. "I was a little nervous."

But once she was on the field, Murray was all business.

"As soon as the game started all those emotions seemed to wash away, and adrenaline took over," she said.

Her unit was burned for five goals in the first half but settled down in the second and gave up only one. Meanwhile, the offense caught fire and went on a 5-1 scoring rampage.

It was not a spectacular performance, and Sailer understands that. But for right now, a victory is a victory. And each victory brings Murray and company some much needed experience. With the speed and talent the Tigers already have, a few wins might be all that's needed to give Princeton the confidence to complete the puzzle.