8-7 upset fresh in mind as rematch approaches

The No. 4 Tigers (3-0) head into the weekend with the confidence of a three-game winning streak, including last week’s domination of No. 3 Duke, 13-8. Princeton’s impressive offensive is led by junior attack Christine Casaceli and senior attack Katie Lewis-Lamonica, who each have eight goals on the season. Lewis-Lamonica netted seven of hers against Duke, becoming only the sixth Princeton player to score seven in a game en route to Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week honors.

“Katie is definitely our main threat as an attacker,” junior midfielder and captain Katie Cox said. “But if our opponents decide to mark Katie throughout the game, we still have a bunch of players who can take her place.”

The Tigers amply proved that point in their 16-8 trouncing of Rutgers on March 6, a game Lewis-Lamonica did not play. Junior attack Christine Casaceli scored a career-high four goals, while junior midfielder Kristin Schwab found the back of the net three times.

Though Princeton has won 16 of its last 20 games against Penn State (2-2), it suffered a devastating loss to the Nittany Lions last season. The Tigers held a 5-2 lead over Penn State going into the second half, but the Nittany Lions fought back during the second half, scoring six goals in a span of 11 minutes to win the game.

“Last year we didn’t play well,” Cox said. “Penn State came out with a lot of hustle, and we came out flat and not ready to play. We should have beat them and we didn’t. This year we are trying to make a different statement to Penn then the one they took home last year.”

Boasting incredible speed and scoring abilities, as well as a roster filled with last year’s starters, Princeton seems more than ready to prove its status as a powerhouse team.

“Last year I wouldn’t have said that Penn [State] was a huge game and I think that complacency hurt us in the end,” junior midfielder Holly McGarvie said. “This year we definitely aren’t taking Penn [State] for granted. We want revenge.”

Indeed, the Nittany Lions are a force to be reckoned with in their own right. Midfielder Jessi Lieb heads a powerful offense that most recently victimized William & Mary, 18-12. Lieb, a preseason All-American, has tallied seven goals and three assists in four games.

The Tigers, whose flawless offense and cohesive playing style has propelled them to three impressive victories, seem destined for greatness. Despite its many strengths, however, Princeton still faces some weaknesses, especially in its underdeveloped defense and rookie players.

These flaws where showcased during the Tigers’ match against Rutgers, when they allowed the Scarlet Knights to make a small comeback mid-game. Though Princeton held onto its lead and won the game, allowing that same sort of turnaround against its bigger, tougher opponents could result in an abrupt end to the Tigers’ short win streak.

“In practices, we’ve been focusing a lot on the defense carrying the ball out,” Cox said. “We need to make the transition out of the goal area and to our offense a little smoother, and our defense needs to build up a little more confidence in their playing.”

Despite these flaws, it is undeniable that last year’s 10-6 team pales in comparison to the ruthless players who dominate the field now.

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“We need to practice being more comfortable with the ball, and the defense needs to practice playing confidently during the game,” McGarvie said. “But in comparison to past years, there are definitely not as many aspects of our game that need improving. The first games were a test for us, and we’ve shown how well we can play.”

After their date with Penn State tomorrow, the Tigers are slated to return home for a three-game homestand against ranked opponents.