Rematch in second-round play for Princeton

The stats set up the storyline quite well: the women's lacrosse team has allowed its opponents to score in double figures just twice in the last 12 games. The two teams to do so? Virginia and Dartmouth. The Tigers disposed of the former last weekend in a nail-biting upset over the No. 2 seeded Cavaliers. This weekend, they get the chance for revenge against Dartmouth in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

Dartmouth (12-5 overall, 5-2 Ivy League) thrashed Princeton (12-5, 6-1) the last time they met, on April 22 at Class of 1952 Stadium. The Big Green's Whitney Douthett scored four goals and assisted on five more en route to her team's 15-5 victory.

Even if that loss seems lopsided, it pales in comparison to the 16-3 defeat the Tigers suffered to UVa. on March 25.

Yet, when Princeton's defense decided to get serious in the second meeting with he Cavaliers, the results were very different.

Princeton's key to success is simple: its defense must show up, and it must show up right from the start. The Tigers have not exactly been able to do this, as evinced by the two beatings at the hands of Dartmouth and Virginia. But there have been other games where the Princeton defense only decided to tighten the clamps in the second half. In many cases, it was enough for a win. Against a team like Dartmouth, it will not.

Senior defender Lauren Vance, with all of her accolades — co-captain, co-Ivy League Player of the Year, Tewaaraton Trophy nominee — must take it upon herself to ensure that her team is ready to play from the opening whistle. When she does, the results are staggering — just take last week's 5-2 halftime lead and the ensuing upset on foreign soil.

First half crucial

A hot start will be especially important against Dartmouth, a team that has made a living this year getting on top early and holding on for the win. In the blowout against Princeton, the Big Green opened up a 9-1 halftime lead. In its first round win over Boston University last weekend, Dartmouth took a 6-2 lead into the break.

But if the last month tells us anything about the women's lacrosse team, it's that they are finally starting to understand this concept. "I think today was the big day," Vance said, following the team's win over Delaware — the game after getting blown out by Dartmouth. "I think we really realized that we needed to come out in the first half."

Since then, they've been performing like they really do know the value of playing a full 60 minutes, so don't expect a double-digit blowout this time around.

Instead, watch for head coach Chris Sailer to devise schemes to keep Douthett from dominating the attack. Her nine-point night a month ago was not a fluke — the junior leads her team in points with 57 and in assists with 28 — so care must be taken to contain her. This will be Sailer's ninth consecutive season reaching the playoffs, and the master tactician has an excellent record when facing teams for the second time in the same season.

Also expect midfielder Katie Lewis-Lamonica to help carry the load. The sophomore has a penchant for scoring against good teams, having picked up far more goals against ranked opponents than any of her teammates.

Freshman midfielder Holly McGarvie just picked up Ivy League Rookie-of-the-Year honors as a result of her aggressive play in her first season as a Tiger. Princeton will need plenty of McGarvie's intensity if it wants to keep the Big Green quiet — and out of the semifinals.

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McGarvie and Lewis-Lamonica, along with junior attack Kathleen Miller, will have to ensure that the Tigers establish solid control of the ball, as opposed to defending their own cage the entire game.

In addition to keeping its eye on Douthett, Princeton must look out for sophomore Kristen Barry, the Big Green's leading goal scorer. If Princeton can keep those two under wraps, Dartmouth could be in for a tough afternoon.

The game against the Big Green a month ago might just have been the Tigers' coming of age ordeal. With one more big win, the Princeton might be able to show that its growing pains are finished.