Yale up next in League opener

Kicking off its Ivy League schedule this weekend as it faces Yale at home, the No. 7 men's lacrosse team is looking to improve upon its 4-2 record and keep its season going strong.

"This weekend's game is a big one," junior Will Presti said. "Yale beat us last year, so a win this weekend would be even more satisfying than usual, but these games are always huge."

The Bulldogs (3-4 overall, 0-2 Ivy League) beat the Tigers, 9-8, last season with an unexpectedly strong performance at the face-offs. Out of the game's 20 face-offs, Yale won 17, including every one in the game's last three quarters.

Last weekend, the Tigers put forth a dominant performance, beating Butler, 9-4, and Binghamton, 10-2. With last weekend's games, head coach Bill Tierney earned his 200th and 201st wins with the Tigers. The team hopes to continue its winning streak this weekend and help Tierney notch his 202nd.

"The team is ready for a great performance this weekend," junior Zac Jungers said. "Each day at practice you can feel the emotion building."

Although face-offs have caused some trouble for the Tigers this year as well — in the Hofstra game, Princeton lost 14 of the 17 face-offs — the team hopes that its practice and dedication will pay off this weekend and that it will be able to keep the ball from their opponents as much as possible.

"We have some great face-off men," Jungers said. "These battles will be important because time of possession allows the offense to control the ball and get their goals."

Yale a challenge

Yet the Tigers cannot dismiss the challenge that the Bulldogs present. In a game against Hartford this week, the Yale squad took 45 shots, won 17 of the 20 face-offs, and ended the game with a dominant 13-3 victory over the Hawks.

Consistency in their playing will be critical for the Tigers this weekend. In last weekend's game against Binghamton, the Tiger defense — which, led by sophomore Dan Cocoziello, held its opponents to 20 shots — was strong all-around. Offensively, the team started off strong with a goal by freshman Mark Kovler only 52 seconds into the game. Despite a 22 minute period when the Tigers did not score a single goal, the Princeton offense managed to finish the game just as strong, with three goals from junior Scott Sowanick, two from Kovler and freshman Tommy Davis, and one each from junior Peter Trombino and sophomores Alex Haynie and Bob Schneider.

"We have proven to ourselves that we are capable of great things but have also learned that we are capable of playing poorly when we don't execute on game day," Presti said, speaking specifically of this season's two devastating losses. "When we play with confidence, enthusiasm and a passion to be great on every play we are tough to beat, so we just have to try to bring that attitude week in and week out."

Speaking of the team's 4-2 record and echoing Presti's sentiment, Jungers said, "6-0 would be better, and it's frustrating because the team is capable of being 6-0."

Potential greatness

Indeed the team has proven their remarkable skills, speed and depth time and again this season, particularly in its 6-4 victory over perennial rival Johns Hopkins. Despite the disappointing losses to Virginia and Hofstra, the Tigers have not lost hope on the prospects of an overall successful season. "We have returned to the philosophy that our games and our season are about us," Jungers said. "If we work hard to improve as individuals and as a team, Princeton lacrosse will be very successful."