Freshman midfielder Charlotte Davis got the ball from behind the goal with just five seconds left in overtime. The women’s lacrosse team needed every second.
Davis passed to freshman midfielder Caroline Rehfuss in front of the goal, who then caught and released a quick-stick shot as the final whistle blew, scoring the game-winning goal as time expired for a playoff-clinching 11-10 upset victory over No. 7 Dartmouth.
“I don’t think you can look at that game and be anything but pleased,” head coach Chris Sailer said as the Tigers clinched the No. 4 seed in the first-ever Ivy League playoffs. “It was the biggest win of the season. It really was all on the line today.”
Princeton (6-9 overall, 4-3 Ivy League) faced a win-or-go-home game against the Big Green (10-3, 5-2) and fought through a tough first half to get the victory. Princeton was down at halftime 7-3 due to a high number of turnovers but rebounded in the second period.
“The second half was the best performance we’ve had all year,” Sailer said.
Rehfuss scored four goals in all to lead the Tigers to their big victory.
Sophomore midfielder Barb Previ had an impressive all-around game with two game-tying goals, as she totaled three goals, an assist and a team-high six ground balls.
“[Rehfuss] has been so good and confident and sure with her stick,” Sailer said of the freshman. “She’s really grown tremendously.”
Princeton’s leading players, junior attacker and tri-captain Lizzy Drumm and senior attacker and tri-captain Kristin Morrison, were largely held in check for much of the game. Instead, the Tigers’ array of young offensive players stepped up. Rehfuss, Previ, Davis and sophomore midfielder Cassie Pyle combined for nine goals and three assists. Drumm rounded out the scoring with two goals.
Sophomore defender Lindsey deButts had a strong defensive performance, as she totaled six draw controls, scooped up three ground balls and forced four turnovers.
Junior goalie Erin Tochihara came up with some clutch moves on her way to notching 14 saves. After Previ’s third goal tied the game at 10 with 50 seconds left, Tochihara made two important saves with time winding down to keep the score tied. Once overtime began, she saved consecutive shots from point-blank range and then made another save on a free-position attempt.
“She came through big,” Sailer said of Tochihara’s performance. “When you’re confident in your goalie ... that pumps the team up so much.”
A minute into the first overtime period, the Big Green scored what could have been the game-deciding goal. Sailer, however, called for a referee stick check. When the referee calls for a check, all players must immediately drop their sticks without manipulating the strings in any way. The Dartmouth player who had just scored was caught moving her strings, and so the goal was automatically taken away, leaving the score tied at 10.
After Rehfuss’s final goal, the celebration could not begin until the Tigers passed the required stick check. Dead silence fell over the entire crowd as the referee examined one Princeton stick. The referee then lifted her hands in the sign for a good goal, and the crowd and team erupted into jumping cheers.
Sunday was Senior Day and the last home game for the four seniors on the team. Morrison failed to score but was a key component of several important plays and is Princeton’s second-leading scorer. Senior defender and tri-captain Sarah Vance helped a strong defensive effort with three ground balls and a forced turnover, while senior midfielder Jenna Washabaugh worked as the draw control specialist and pushed the Tigers to a 14-11 edge in controls. Senior goalie Kaitlyn Perrelle has played sparingly this year but is a strong vocal force on the sidelines and in practice.
The Tigers will attempt to continue their newfound momentum as they begin their playoff run next week. They face Ivy League champion Penn in the first round of the playoffs, which will take place Friday night at 7 p.m. in Philadelphia.
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