PHILADELPHIA, PA. 4/17/2019 – The game was the battle that was expected between the #11 Princeton Tigers and the #12 University of Pennsylvania Quakers. In the last four minutes Princeton rallied for two goals and earned a 13 – 11 win over Penn at Franklin Field. Princeton put themselves in position to get at least a share of the Ivy League championship having a 4 – 1 conference record. The road will be more difficult for Penn who stands 3 – 2 in the Ancient Eight.
After 56 minutes of lacrosse the score was tied at 11. Tigers attack Elizabeth George broke through and got the eventual game winner at the 3:50 mark with her team short handed. The goal was her 41st of the season and 6th of the game. The assist went to Kayla Sears, her fourth of the game to go along with 2 scores. Princeton closed it with a player-up score by Tess D’Orsi, who scored 4 goals.
It was a close game on the scoreboard and statistically. The difference was shooting to Penn Coach Karin Corbett.
“I don’t think we shot well,” said Corbett. “We shot at their feet a lot. We have to be better shooters. We hit three pipes tonight. They sunk more than we did. For us it was one of our most complete games this year. It was a great game, but we have to win.”
Penn had more shots getting 33 to 29, and had four more shots on goal 23 – 20. Princeton goal keeper Sam Fish made 12 saves. Mikaila Cheeseman saved 7 for the Quakers. A 15 – 11 advantage for the Tigers in draw controls gave them more opportunities.
Midway through the second half Princeton held an 11 – 8 lead with 10:28 left, and had the momentum going their way. Penn showed their resolve as sophomore midfielder Elyse Decker scored her third goal of the game followed by back to back scores by freshman midfielder Michaela McMahon to tie the score with 5:13 remaining. McMahon had three for the game. All three of the Penn scores were player-up tallies.
“It’s all about Penn pride,” said Decker. “Our team has the biggest fight and the biggest heart. We pulled out some tough wins. We know that Princeton is going to go on runs, we’re going to go on runs. We have to keep the energy high.”
Junior midfielder Erin Barry and sophomore attack Zoe Belodeau added two goals. Freshman attack Taylyn Stadler scored the other Quaker goal. Junior attack Gabby Rosenzweig led the Red and Blue in assists with 3.
Princeton, Cornell, and Dartmouth lead the Ivy League standings with each team having one loss. Penn, who lost to Dartmouth on Saturday, occupies the fourth spot with two losses, one game ahead of Brown.
There is more work for the Red and Blue and with the top of the league crowded, the path to the tournament title is still wide open.
“It can be anybody’s tournament,” Corbett said. “It will be who is the best team that day.”
And the team knows that every game is a tough one, and relishes the challenge.
“I honestly love that we have three teams in the top in the top twenty,” Decker said. “It makes is so competitive, it makes each game really fun. I am looking forward to a chance of getting redemption against this team some time in the tournament.”
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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