Last shot at NCAA berth lies in defeating No. 3-ranked Cornell

“This group of kids has responded to losing and adversity much better than they have to winning and things going smoothly,” Tierney said. “I don’t know what to attribute that to, but for the first time, they reacted in a game situation [against Harvard] to turn the game around. The hope is that they grow from that as players individually and as a team.”

A Cornell squad that is unbeaten in its last 14 Ivy League contests, however, will be a tough obstacle to overcome. The Big Red has also defeated Princeton (6-4, 3-0) in the last four meetings between the teams. Last year’s 10-6 loss was especially difficult for the Tigers to swallow, considering the Princeton defense, then ranked first in the nation, was unable to contain the Big Red’s explosive attack from the get-go.

For the Tigers to keep hopes for the postseason alive tomorrow, senior leadership will be crucial. As the game will be the final one the senior class plays at Class of 1952 Stadium, a win would hold sentimental value as well.

Senior goalie Alex Hewit had six saves against the Crimson, including what was perhaps the most important one of the season when he robbed Harvard’s Zach Widbin from point-blank range in overtime. Hewit will look to prevent the Big Red from starting off strong along with the help of senior defenseman Dan Cocoziello and senior midfielder Zach Goldberg.

“You always expect a lot of emotion from [Cornell],” Tierney said. “They’re very physical and very talented. [Playing them] is as tough as it gets in the Ivy League. They play an aggressive-style defense, and they’re a confident group and have every right to be.”

The Tiger defense will have to be primed from the first whistle to slow down the Big Red attack, which has tallied 40 first-quarter goals this season and averages 11.45 goals per game. Ryan Hurley is running away with the lead on Cornell’s stat sheet with 36 goals and 46 points. The sophomore had a career-high nine points with five goals and four assists in the Big Red’s 16-11 win over Dartmouth last weekend.

Veteran players John Glynn and Max Seibald, two of the best attacks in the Ivy League, will also be difficult for Princeton to contain. Glynn ranks first in assists with 18, and Seibald has tallied 18 goals.

On its own attack, Princeton is hoping that senior midfielder Bob Schneider will continue his streak of impressive performances. Schneider was named this week’s Ivy League Player of the Week after he scored four goals against the Crimson, including the tying goal in the final minutes of regulation and the game-winner in overtime.

Senior midfielder Pete Striebel has improved steadily throughout the season and now ranks second on the team in assists with nine. Striebel scored his first goal of the season two weeks ago against Penn and registered three helpers against Harvard.

Recently, the most explosive player on Princeton’s offense has been freshman attack Jack McBride, who earned Ivy League Rookie of the Week honors for his six-goal performance against Penn and his pair of goals against Harvard. McBride, who is now tied with junior midfielder Tommy Davis for the team lead with 17 goals, seems to have found a comfort level on the field, something that’s rare among freshmen. The confidence he displays while playing alongside veterans Davis and senior attack Alex Haynie should only produce more positive results for the Tigers.

Last weekend, each of Princeton’s nine goals was assisted, attesting to the Tigers’ realization that overcoming adversity requires togetherness and teamwork. If this type of play continues in tomorrow’s matchup against Cornell, the Tigers can look forward to preserving their perfect record in the Ivy League.