Princeton heads to Ithaca to face Big Red

The women's lacrosse team (5-2 overall, 1-0 Ivy League) has spent the month of March facing off against the nation's top teams, playing six foes ranked in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Top 20 poll. But those who thought conference play would be a break for the defending Ivy League champions should think again.

On Saturday at 3 p.m., the Tigers will make the long drive to Ithaca, N.Y., to face No. 14 Cornell (4-2, 1-0), who has jumped in the polls after defeating then-No. 13 Ohio State and then-No. 14 Penn on the road last week.

Cornell attack Allison Schindler was crucial to her team's success in both victories, notching the game-winner in each contest and tallying eight goals for the week. For her efforts she was named Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week. Against Colgate on Wednesday, it was attack Courtney Farrell who stepped up, scoring five goals in the Big Red's 14-11 win.

Although Cornell's three-game winning streak may have boosted its confidence, it will be up against a Tiger team that is finally putting all of the pieces together after two tough losses to Virginia and Penn State. After a thrilling overtime victory over No. 8 Georgetown on Wednesday night, the Tigers are fired up to take on their Ivy League competition. Against the Hoyas, Princeton showed depth in scoring instead of relying solely on the fearsome senior duo of attack Lindsey Biles and midfielder Elizabeth Pillion, as six Tigers found the back of the net.

"It's a huge positive to have so many people other than Biles and Pillion to score," senior attack Ingrid Goldberg said, who registered a hat trick against Georgetown.

Diaper dandies

The freshmen, especially midfielder Katie Lewis-Lamonica and attack Ashley Amo, have stepped into their roles. Lewis-Lamonica and Amo both scored in overtime to propel the Tigers to victory against the Hoyas. Less visible, but just as crucial, has been freshman defender Norris Novak, who started for the first time against Virginia.

"It's great they're making a contribution," head coach Chris Sailer said of the freshmen. "They are only going to get better."

Cornell has its own stellar freshman in Farrell, who has already registered 11 goals on the season. The Big Red squad has even more youth than Princeton, with 19 freshmen and sophomores on its roster. Senior attack Kristen Smith is the team's steady leading scorer, and its defense is anchored by junior goalie Maggie Fava. Senior defender Julia Hughey leads the team in caused turnovers and ground balls.

The Tigers will look to limit the turnovers that plagued them against Virginia and Georgetown and also to continue their balanced attack against Cornell. Princeton's defense has also played well in the last two games, limiting some of the nation's top scorers. Junior defender Lauren Vance caused five turnovers against the Cavaliers and leads the team with 16 turnovers forced on the season.

The Big Red has historically struggled against the Tigers. Princeton has clinched a share of the Ivy championship for the past four years, but Cornell has never won the title. Last season, the Tigers topped Cornell for the 24th time in 26 previous meetings, 16-10, a game that was also Princeton's 17th straight victory over the Big Red. On Saturday, the Tigers look to extend that streak to 18.