lax @ princeton

[Jacob '06]

This is a huge game, it will basically determine who gets the AQ for the ivies. Princeton boasts an awesome defense that has held a lot of good teams to very few points.

Anyone know if the game is at the football stadium or the lax stadium? I'm heading down to NJ tonight.

[Hillel Hoffmann]

[quote Jacob '06]This is a huge game.[/quote]

Beyond huge. Because Cornell's opponents have gone down the RPI toilet, the consequences of losing this game, as Fred outlined in his lax tourney thread, are grim. With Princeton floating in the RPI top 5, a win could get Cornell much more than an AQ -- it could yield a favorable tournament seeding.

The public and private rhetoric coming from both teams suggests that both sides are out for blood. It shouldn't be a surprise that Princeton has had this game circled for many months. Their all-everything soph defenseman Cocoziello said that last year's loss to Cornell was the most humiliating experience of his life. Yep.

[quote Jacob '06]the football stadium or the lax stadium?[/quote]

It will be at Class of '52 Stadium, the artificial turf lax facility just south of Palmer Stadium [Edit: Did I really just say Palmer? Not Palmer, Princeton.]

Looks like it could be very wet, with a chance of lightning delays.

Don't let that stop you -- this is worth the trip.

Obviously, Princeton has improved a ton compared to last year. The key to their turnaround has been their play on the defensive side of the field. Their goalie situation has stabilized, with soph Alex Hewit now leading the nation in save percentage (almost 65 percent!). As a team, they're holding opponents to a shot percentage of less than 20. This is a team that held Virginia and Syracuse to 7 goals each and Johns Hopkins to 4 goals.

Princeton's weak links are on offense and at the faceoff X (phew). Even with a transfusion of new midfield talent, led by frosh Mark Kovler (DC) and Tommy Davis (LI), they've still struggled to score in many games. Despite their excellent record, they've allowed more shots than they've taken.

The key could be Cornell's extra-man offense, which has been deadly (50 percent). Unfortunately, they've had few chances to play man-up recently. If Princeton's young defenders are so amped that they lose their heads, maybe Cornell can get a few early extra-man goals.

Can't wait.

[Scersk '97]

Is the Princeton audio feed free?  I was able to listen to one of their archived games, but there seems to be no indication either way on their site.

[billhoward]

Must see lacrosse. Gotta be there. As of 10 pm in NJ living an hour away, weather didn't look that threatening. On the other hand, we just planted some grass seed, so either way, we come out ahead. I'd prefer it dry in Class of '52 Stadium. The 4,000-seat jewel of a stadium, not the football stadium. 12 noon.

LGR.

[Hillel Hoffmann]

[quote Scersk '97]Is the Princeton audio feed free?  I was able to listen to one of their archived games, but there seems to be no indication either way on their site.[/quote]
Yeah, I think it's free.

[billhoward]

The audio feed is free: It's being underwritten by the Robertston family foundation (they just don't know it) as Princeton broadly defines supporting the Wilson School mission of preparing students for international service.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06038/651628.stm
"Fight at Princeton escalates over a family's gift"

(Aside and OT: This is a fascinating lawsuit with far-reaching consequences. Basically, if a donor gives money for X, how far afield can the recipient go in stretching the original intent? Princeton appears to have done more than stretch, although in the most egregious finger-in-the-cookie jar instances that came to light, the school says it was unintentional.)

[jkahn]

Cornell leads 1-0 after one period (Haswell goal).

[jkahn]

2-0, Mitchell 44 seconds into 2nd

[Al DeFlorio]

Getting a third goal would make a big difference.  Good chances but no cigar.

[jkahn]

Halftime, 2-0

[jkahn]

2-1 45 sec. into 3rd

[Al DeFlorio]

We are controlling this game but can't get it past Hewitt.

[Al DeFlorio]

Too many turnovers.  Just can't seem to get it into the net.

[DeltaOne81]

Hewitt has been absolutely f***in incredible, just save after save after save

[jkahn]

2-1 Cornell after 3.  Sounded like Cornell dominated play in 3rd with lots of great saves by Hewitt.