Women's Lacrosse: Temple drops Tigers in Philly

Before Wednesday, the women’s lacrosse team had not lost to Temple since 1998, a streak of 11 consecutive victories. Before Wednesday, Princeton (4-5 overall, 2-0 Ivy League) was undefeated on the road and feeling optimistic after an impressive win over No. 9 Georgetown. On Wednesday afternoon, though, No. 17 Princeton left Philadelphia with a rough 14-12 upset loss to Temple (4-5).

“We’re very disappointed,” head coach Chris Sailer said after the game. “I thought we would have competed much better than we did. We got down early in the first half and never really recovered. It was an uncharacteristically poor performance.”

One of the difference-makers in the defeat was the play of each team’s goalkeepers and defenses. Junior Erin Tochihara, Princeton’s second-team All-America goalie, had her worst first half of the year statistically, as she allowed seven goals and recorded just one save until she was replaced by senior goalie Kaitlyn Perrelle. Perrelle saved her first shot, but then allowed four goals as Temple jumped to a three-point lead at halftime.

In the second half, Tochihara returned and her play improved, as she recorded six saves while the Tigers’ defense locked down. On the other side, Temple’s goalkeeper Jessica Colucci saved 12 of 24 shots.

Sailer gave credit to Temple, but said that the offense needed to improve its shot selection and execution.

“I was kind of at a loss of what to say,” Sailer said. “We looked very slow on the field today. We were a step behind the entire day.”

Princeton had reason to be optimistic after Sunday’s upset victory over Georgetown in double overtime. and Inside Lacrosse named junior attacker and tri-captain Lizzy Drumm its Nike Player of the Week for her five goals, including the game-winner in sudden-death overtime. That win gave Sailer 300 victories in her Hall of Fame coaching career, as she became just the second coach ever to reach that number.

The Tigers worked with a balanced offense against Temple, as four different players scored two goals and nine players overall contributed at least one point. Drumm continued her strong play with two goals and an assist, while sophomore midfielder Cassie Pyle added another two goals and two assists.

Each team traded goals for the first 10 minutes until goals by freshman Charlotte Davis and senior attacker and tri-captain Kristin Morrison gave the Tigers a 5-3 lead. Temple then exploded for a quick, decisive run, scoring six straight goals on seven shots, and the first half ended with the Owls leading 11-8.

“I can’t remember the last time we gave up 11 goals in the first half,” Sailer said.

The offensive shoot-out in the first half turned into a defensive struggle for much of the second period. Tochihara came out with a vengeance, making saves on Temple’s first four shots on goal. The defense, led by senior tri-captain Sarah Vance, held the Owls scoreless for the first 20 minutes of the half, and contained them to just three goals for the half. But the Tigers’ offense failed to capitalize and was unable to take back the lead.

Sailer pointed to numerous issues while attempting to explain the loss, including individualistic play, ineffective offensive and defensive performances, and the coaching staff.

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Princeton may have been caught in a classic trap game. Yesterday’s game was sandwiched between a rousing win over a top-10 team and an upcoming showdown with Ivy League rival Cornell.

On the opposite side, three different Temple players scored three goals, and midfielder Chelsea Rosiek accounted for two goals and two assists. The Owls also notched 27 ground balls to Princeton’s 18.

“We play well at times and we play not-well other times,” Sailer said. “We’ll try to get off the roller coaster we seem to be on.”