Desperate Tigers visit Quakers

The last time men's lacrosse opened a season 0-5, most of the current players were in diapers, the Soviet Union was still going strong and the Tigers ended the season with a dismal 1-14 record.

Fans of Princeton lacrosse thought those days were over, and, since that terrible season in 1986, they have been correct. The team has been one of the most dominant ones in the nation dating back to the early 1990's, yet if the Tigers lose to Penn (1-7 overall, 0-3 Ivy League) this afternoon in Philadelphia, it will mean that they will not end the regular season with a winning record for the first time since 1989.

Princeton has lost each of its first five games by an average of just 2.2 goals, including two one-goal losses. The season has brought one heartbreaker after another for the Orange and Black, a trend they'll look to end against the Quakers this afternoon.

The game is the only non-weekend contest of the season for Princeton, meaning the Tigers will hit the field with only two days of preparation instead of their usual week. Head coach Bill Tierney was unconcerned about the lack of preparation time, saying that his team's problems were more mental than tactical.

"It doesn't really matter who we play at this point. It's not about our opponent — it's about us," Tierney said. "We're just talking about things in the big picture and less about the small pictures and the X's and O's. This game's all about us and our emotions."

Despite that sentiment, if Princeton was given the choice of facing any of its Ivy foes needing a win this badly, Penn would probably top their wish list. Though they finished last season with a .500 record and started this season at No. 18 in the coaches' poll, the Quakers have struggled just as much as, if not more than, the Tigers this season.

Penn's sole win came in a low-scoring game against Air Force early in the season.

The only opponent both teams have faced this year is Yale, which bodes well for Princeton — its loss to the Elis this past weekend came by only one, whereas the Quakers were blown out, 15-7.

Quakers dangerous

Penn does have several dangerous players, though, not to mention the home-field advantage, and its squad won't roll over for its "rival" to get its first win.

On offense, midfielder David Andrzjewski leads his team with 14 goals and seven assists and will look to improve those numbers against a Tiger team that has been outshot 132-109 on the year. Attack James Riordan is second on the squad in scoring, with seven goals and two assists, and midfielder David Cornbrooks has seven goals and one assist.

The Quaker defense is equally consistent, with almost their entire unit back from last year, including starters Andrew Blechman, Matt Kelleher and J.T. Pitcher.

With a decreased emphasis on strategy, Princeton will rely on its talent and heart to come away with a win this afternoon.

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The Tigers can only hope that, with a convincing win, they can turn their momentum around and enter the second half of their season on a positive note.