Rutgers snaps 15-year losing streak to Tigers

PISCATAWAY — It's hard to be perfect for 16 years — just too hard, it seems, for the Tigers.

The men's lacrosse team (1-6 overall, 1-1 Ivy League) lost to Rutgers on Saturday for the first time since 1989, 8-5, amid the same face-off and shooting problems that have plagued the Tigers throughout the 2005 season. The loss throws the team's confidence into question on the eve of five must-win Ivy League games.

"I was hoping that a win today would kind of catapult us a little bit and give us a little bit more confidence," senior attack Jason Doneger said. "We need to refocus."

Refocusing after a tough loss is something Princeton has had to do often this season — and some focusing is definitely in order, considering the way the game went for the Tigers.

Princeton started off well, playing strong defense during Rutgers' first possession and turning its opponents back at virtually every dodge. Things were looking good with 10 minutes, 43 seconds to play in the first quarter when sophomore midfielder Whitney Hayes dashed around the back of the crease, losing his defender to score and putting the Tigers on the board first.

Rutgers found the net soon after, but Princeton responded with a feed from freshman attack Trip Cowin to the stick of sophomore attack Peter Trombino, who finished the play with a hard, fast overhand shot from just inside the restraining line. Trombino's goal came with only a few seconds left in the quarter — an unusual feat for the Tigers, who have given up many goals this season in the final seconds of quarters.

The game went south for Princeton in the second quarter, though, as the Scarlet Knights held the Tigers scoreless while adding a score of their own. A 2-2 halftime score quickly turned into a 3-2 lead for Princeton in the third quarter when senior attack Jason Doneger came alive off sophomore attack Scott Sowanick's assist.

It was all downhill from there, though. Rutgers got an easy goal when a defenseman breaking down the field found himself pursued by three Princeton players. A teammate received his pass for a virtual one-on-zero and tied the score at three.

Less than two minutes later, the Knights scored again to take the lead they would hold for the duration of the game. Despite a goal by sophomore middie Mike Gaudio, Rutgers would score twice more in the half to take a 6-4 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

It became clear how the game would end when Rutgers scored only nine seconds into the fourth quarter, cleanly winning a face-off and setting up a fast break that easily beat the Tiger defense.

The Knights would add yet another fast transition goal to their game, and Princeton found the net only once more thanks to a score by Doneger. A jubilant Rutgers team celebrated the end of a losing streak against the Tigers that had spanned more than a decade.

Same costly mistakes

Rutgers' transition goals contributed heavily to Princeton's loss — all result of Tiger offensive mistakes and turnovers.

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"It happens because we're not playing offense that well," head coach Bill Tierney said, noting Princeton's dropped balls and shots right into the goalie's stick. "They'd pick them up, and they just took chances on running up the field."

Indeed, the Tigers' mistakes on Saturday were a continuation of what has been the same story all year. Princeton only won six of 16 face-offs and only scored five goals on 32 shots.

The shooting problem became particularly acute in the third and fourth quarters, largely because of the stellar play by Rutgers goalie Greg Havalchak, who stuffed the Tigers repeatedly at pointblank range to eliminate any hopes of a comeback.

"I got stuffed from inside twice today, and that can't happen. If we're going to win, I have to hit those shots," Doneger said.

With the loss to Rutgers, the team's sixth this season, it seems that the offensive woes of Princeton are more systemic, though.

"Guys just aren't on the same page, guys aren't playing to their strengths, guys are trying to do things they can't do out of desperation because we need to score goals," Doneger said. "No one's really separated themselves from the pack [as a leader]."

Tierney felt that, despite the lack of a clear offensive leader, the problem still ought to have been surmounted somehow.

"I'm disappointed that we haven't found ways for this group of kids to score more goals . . . [the problem is] not Ryan Boyle ['04], it's how to go with the talent you have and find out ways to score goals," he said, referring to the star attackman who deftly quarterbacked the Tiger offense the previous four seasons.

Princeton must win the rest of its games if the Tigers are to win the Ivy League and advance to the NCAA tournament. That means defeating teams, such as Cornell and Brown, who have been strong this year.

"We're just going to keep plugging," Tierney said.

That seems to be the team's only option with such a young and, at times, incohesive squad. But now, with their backs against the wall, the Tigers need to do more than keep plugging — they need to be perfect.