No. 2 Princeton puts No. 9 Harvard to bed 15–14 after fourth quarter finish

Two teams. Two identical records. Only one could come out on top this Saturday. 

No. 3 Princeton (10–2 overall, 4–2 Ivy League) had the last laugh against No. 7 Harvard (9–3, 3–2) on the Crimson’s Senior Day. The tight game was expected out of such an evenly matched Ivy League showdown, and Princeton took it in the final 17 seconds.   

“I was actually just talking to Brody Upton and saying it felt like the Syracuse game last year,” senior faceoff specialist Andrew McMeekin told The Daily Princetonian postgame.

The Tigers struck first, with junior attacker Colin Burns burying the first of his five goals with less than a minute off the clock. Sophomore attacker Aidan McDonald added another to the Tigers’ total before Harvard got going. The first quarter ended in Princeton’s favor, 3–2.

The second quarter was more of the same neck-and-neck play, but this time ending in Harvard’s favor. Princeton scored first again with a goal by sophomore attacker Porter Malkeil. Junior midfielder Tucker Wade put on a dodge masterclass to get another one on the board for Princeton too. With 8:36 remaining in the half, Harvard answered with a goal of their own. This started what would become a 4–0 run for the Crimson. 

Some might say that Burns was Princeton’s hero on Saturday, and he certainly showed up when it mattered. He tied the game up at 6–6 to end the Harvard run in the second quarter.

However, Harvard tallied another three goals to end the first half, and going into the recess, the Tigers found themselves down 9–6. 

“Man, we have to bring these guys together,” Burns said of his halftime mentality. “We have to fight. If we’re not able to fight now, we’re not going to be able to fight late in the year.” 

Junior attacker Nate Kabiri answered the call, scoring a goal with 10:36 remaining in the third quarter. McMeekin followed up by producing a goal of his own off of his face off win. The Tigers trailed 9–8.

MEEKS JUICE GOAL TO GET US WITHIN ONE. pic.twitter.com/uAsSy2qLdb

— Princeton Men's Lacrosse (@TigerLacrosse) April 18, 2026

Then it was the Crimson’s turn, adding on another goal to extend their lead to two. Princeton wasn’t letting up, though. Kabiri buried another in between Harvard’s goalie’s legs and straight to the back of the net. Burns scored to end the quarter and tie the game up 10–10. 

If Princeton didn’t prove themselves against Harvard and win, they would hand the Cornell Big Red the outright Ivy League title. This season, that wasn’t going to happen.

“I think in the second half we were able to get some saves, some consistent clears, and claw our way back,” Head Coach Matt Madalon told the ‘Prince.’

Harvard opened immediately with a goal to start what would become an unbelievable fourth quarter. First-year midfielder Parker Reynolds rocketed one in on the other end of the field to tie the game again at 11–11. Kabiri kept up the momentum for the Tigers to make it 12–11 with just over ten minutes to play.

Harvard scored another goal, and the teams were tied again. Over the course of the game, the teams were tied a total of five times.

The Crimson added another goal, but sophomore midfielder Jake Vana scored his lone goal of the game to tie yet again. Then, Harvard put one past senior goalie Ryan Croddick. It was back and forth until the end. 

If you’re reading this and wondering “Where is Chad Palumbo?” — he woke up in the fourth quarter. Palumbo recorded two assists and one goal against Harvard. His one goal tied the game for the final time. The score was 14–14 with 1:41 to go. 

Back to Burns: what people will remember from this game. The attacker got a feed behind the goal and went to work. Harvard hung their heads. Princeton partied. The scoreboard read 15-14 Tigers.

After that, there was just one faceoff left. McMeekin won, draining the clock and crippling the Crimson offense to seal the Tiger victory.

Princeton will play their final regular season game at home on Saturday at 4 p.m. against Dartmouth. 

Emilia Reay is a senior Sports writer for the ‘Prince.’

Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.