In need of Cavalier attitude

Correcting last week’s first-half defensive and emotional mistakes will be critical to preparing Princeton for the Cavaliers.

“The first thing you have to do when you have such a letdown in such a big event is handle the disappointment, but quickly move on because the next one could be just as tough,” head coach Bill Tierney said.

The Tigers came up short on defense, surrendering 10 goals in the first half alone. Last year, Princeton never gave up more than eight goals in regulation. Its worst defensive performance came in a 10-6 loss against a Cornell team that boasted the best offense in the nation at 14.0 goals per game.

“We need to defend better,” Tierney said. “We are supposed to be the best defensive team in the country. [Senior goalie] Alex [Hewit] needs to play better, and we need to protect him better. If each individual does his job, we will be a better team. It’s just a matter of working on things we know we can do.”

While defense was a clear problem against Hopkins, it may have only been a sign that the Tigers did not bring the necessary intensity to the game.

“We got out-emotioned,” Tierney said after the loss. “Granted, their shots were lights-out, but we have to do a better job of coming to play emotionally.”

The task will be tall this week, as Virginia will be just as menacing an opponent as Hopkins. A returning core of solid veterans has been supplemented by four of the top five recruits and eight of the top 25.

The Cavaliers’ attack is led by senior Ben Rubeor, a 2007 first-team All-America and Tewaaraton Trophy — lacrosse’s equivalent of the Heisman trophy — finalist. Rubeor scored 46 goals last season and played at his best in the biggest games.

Midfield was Virginia’s weak point last season, but the Cavaliers responded by adding freshmen Shamel and Rhamel Bratton, the No. 1 and 2 recruits in the country according to Inside Lacrosse magazine. The Bratton twins are quick and agile, and their offensive creativity should breathe life into the Cavaliers’ midfield.

Virginia also added Peter Lamade, a fifth-year senior transfer from Duke who gained an extra year of eligibility following the Duke men’s lacrosse team scandal.

At defense, Virginia returns six-foot, five-inch, 225-pound longstick midfielder Mike Timms. Timms, who was named a preseason second-team All-American by Face-Off Yearbook, will get help in the midfield from freshman Bray Malphrus, Inside Lacrosse’s No. 5 recruit.

The Cavaliers’ goalie situation was heavily contested coming into the season, but in the end it was freshman Adam Ghitelman, Inside Lacrosse’s No. 4 recruit, who won the starting job.

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In the first game of last weekend’s Konica-Minolta Faceoff Classic, Virginia played a talented Syracuse team down to the wire and won with an overtime goal. The Cavaliers held a one-goal lead with under 30 seconds remaining, but the determined Orange kept their composure on their final possession and scored the game-tying goal.

But Virginia was not fazed, and Ghitelman maintained his poise following his slip-up. In the overtime period, the Cavaliers weathered a few Syracuse possessions and scored the game-winning goal on a fast break.

Virginia’s level of talent is common knowledge, but the Cavaliers have now proven their ability to play relentlessly and wear down an opponent emotionally. Tierney and the Tigers are fully aware of the challenge that lies ahead.

“Virginia has so much talent, depth, size and speed,” Tierney said. “They have no soft spots, and I haven’t seen any weaknesses or places to exploit. They went nose to nose with a tough Syracuse team and won it at the end.”

Princeton shouldn’t be counted out of this one, though. A few key adjustments should put the Tigers back on track.

Strategic changes can only go so far, however. It will be of paramount importance for Princeton to play with passion against the Cavaliers.

“When you have momentum going like they do and like we don’t, you have to stop that emotional game quickly on your behalf so they don’t feed into your negative emotion,” Tierney said.

Last weekend, the Tigers spotted Hopkins a 10-1 halftime lead. Though the deficit was insurmountable, Princeton played with gusto in the second half, outscoring the Blue Jays 8-4 without making any defensive adjustments. The Tigers’ will to win will again be tested this weekend, and it’ll be up to them to come out ready to play from the opening faceoff.