At the midway point in its season, the women’s lacrosse team travels to Washington, D.C., to take on No. 9 Georgetown on Sunday. The Hoyas take the field as one of the nation’s premier teams, though they were on a three-game losing streak prior to their game against Villanova tonight.
No. 19 Princeton (3-4 overall, 2-0 Ivy League) and Georgetown (2-4) only recently began playing each other, but the matchup has quickly developed into a tight and competitive rivalry. The Tigers own a 9-6 all-time record against the Hoyas, and 10 of those games were decided by two goals or less, including three overtime contests.
“We’re familiar with the way they play, and we know what we’re coming up against,” head coach Chris Sailer said.
Georgetown will be Princeton’s third opponent ranked in the top 10, after the Tigers lost to No. 3 Duke and No. 5 Virginia. Despite their mediocre record, the Hoyas’ four losses came at the hands of the top four ranked teams in the nation.
The Tigers’ offense will be led, as always, by two of their tri-captains, junior attack Lizzy Drumm and senior attack Kristin Morrison. Drumm leads the team in goals and total points with 18 goals and five assists, while Morrison stands second with 19 total points, including a team-leading eight assists. Senior defender and tri-captain Sarah Vance and junior goalkeeper Erin Tochihara solidify a defensive squad that allows just over 10 goals per game.
Drumm’s tweaked hamstring kept her out of the Tigers’ game against Columbia on Wednesday. Despite her absence, though, impressive performances by other players led Princeton to a 15-5 victory over Columbia. In that game, the Tigers sprinted out to an 8-2 lead by halftime and dominated the Lions in both shots and ground balls.
“It was a high level of hustle and intensity on the field,” Sailer said. “That bodes well for the future for us.”
The two teams last met in Princeton’s 15-9 victory in the first round of last season’s NCAA tournament. The Hoyas return their top three attacks from last year’s team and will most likely use the same style of offense.
The triumvirate of attack Molly Ford, midfield Ashby Kaestner and attack Jordyn Kirr leads the Hoyas’ attack. Kaestner and Kirr have each scored 13 points on the year. Ford, a second-team All-American last year and the Georgetown Female Athlete of the Year, currently leads the team with 19 goals and five assists. Sailer said the team’s primary mission will be to limit her opportunities to score, especially around the crease area.
“She has such great vision,” Sailer said about Ford. “She is such an intelligent player and is big on coming around the crease, attacking and re-attacking. She’s very smart and tricky.”
While Georgetown’s attack returns more powerful than ever, much of last year’s defense departed with graduation. Sailer said she hopes the Tigers take advantage of their matchup on this end of the field.
“It’ll be a big challenge for us and we’ll hopefully be very competitive,” she added.
“We’re really improving,” Sailer said as she reflected on her young team — nine underclassmen have scored at least one goal. “We’re learning how to compete against the top competition and not just rely on one or two people to do the work on the field.”
Sailer especially applauded the improved performances of the entire freshman class, along with sophomore defender Cathy Bachur and sophomore midfielder Barb Previ.
The phrase “There’s no place like home” could not be further from the truth for this season’s team. So far this year, Princeton has won all its away matches and lost every home game. This is mostly due to the Tigers taking on their toughest competition at home.
Still, Sailer jokingly offered a possible explanation for and solution to the issue. “Maybe the kids like to have happier bus rides; maybe we should take bus rides to home games,” she said.
Whether or not that strategy works, the Tigers’ perfect road record will surely be tested in their upcoming game.
Read More
No. 7 women’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals against No. 1 UNC
Hayk YengibaryanWith the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
With the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
No. 3 men’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals after 19–18 loss to No. 5 Syracuse
Hayk YengibaryanWith the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
With the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
Preview: No. 3 men’s lacrosse plays No. 5 Syracuse in NCAA quarterfinals
Hayk YengibaryanShould the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Should the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.