McGarvie paces Ivy dominance

It would have been easy for the women's lacrosse team to look past this weekend's Ivy League matchups to its game with No. 2 Maryland this Thursday. But the Tigers are experienced enough to know that a bid to the NCAA Tournament is contingent upon winning against all foes, not just highly ranked ones.

So Princeton (9-5 overall, 5-2 Ivy League) focused on its lower-ranked Ivy foes this weekend and came away with a 19-8 win over Columbia (5-10, 0-7) on Friday before sailing past Brown (4-10, 1-5) on Saturday, 16-2. The victories ensured that the Tigers' postseason dreams will remain intact heading into their midweek showdown with the Terrapins.

The match against Columbia took place in sloppy, damp and occasionally slippery conditions at Class of 1952 Field, which could have hindered the Tigers' sharp and speedy play. Princeton knew this game was too important to let a few raindrops ruin it, however.

"We do not think that the conditions affected our game," senior defender Caitlin Reimers said. "We have played in more severe conditions and make it a point to not allow the weather to be an excuse for our performance."

Princeton's determination was evident from the first face-off. The Tigers started the game on a five-goal run, with two goals scored by senior attack Kathleen Miller. Columbia tried to counter with a goal from Holly Glenn 11 seconds after Miller's second goal, but the quick strike did nothing to help Columbia's possession woes.

After Glenn's goal, Princeton's seemed to lose a little focus, and as a result, the Lions were able to get back into the game. After the Tigers scored two goals, the Lions went on their most potent scoring run of the game, netting three goals in less than six minutes to bring the score to 7-4.

In response, Princeton scored four straight goals to end the half, though Columbia's Brittney Shannon ended the Tigers' run with a goal a second before the half.

Dominating possession of the ball, Princeton allowed only three goals the entire second half, while scoring eight of its own. At the end of the game, it was clear which team was better.

But it was clear that the 19-8 win did not satisfy Princeton.

"Each game, we make it a goal to improve our performance," Reimers said between Friday and Saturday's games. "We were unsatisfied with the eight goals Colombia scored, so defensively, we will work to keep Brown to four or five goals."

Saturday's game against Brown was an indication of Princeton's dedication to improvement. Merely 24 hours after handing Columbia its 10th loss of the season, Princeton looked to wrap up their Ivy League season with a strong win over the Bears.

This game seemed to mimic the game against Columbia, except that whatever the Tigers did well in Friday's game, they did even better in this game. Princeton dominated the first half, scoring nine goals in a row. The most remarkable fact about the 9-0 run was not the sheer quantity of goals, but how they were scored — eight different players scored the nine goals, a demonstration of Princeton's balanced attack.

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Brown scored a goal late in the first half to prevent a shutout and end the run, but it was clear by the 10-1 halftime score that Princeton was in control of the game. During the second half, Princeton continued to dominate ball possession, not allowing Brown to score until more than two-thirds of the way through the second half.

Princeton's defensive prowess was evident in the 16-2 final score. But how exactly were Brown's Mimi Detolla and Molly McCarthy, who each have 30 points this season, so easily stifled by Princeton's defense?

"As usual, we plan to play tough individual defense on all their players," Reimers said before the game. "On their top kids, we are vigilant and ready to help early to keep them out of the critical scoring areas. We work hard to be a suffocating defense."

Combining this strategy with a willingness and strong desire to improve every game has given the Tigers the right mentality to win tough games. And with the scoring of Miller and junior midfielder Katie Lewis-Lamonica, this team certainly has the means to match any team's offensive firepower. But will Princeton be able to execute its strategy and display its talents against No. 2 Maryland with so much at stake? On Thursday night, Tiger fans will find out.