March 4, 2015

No. 10 PU Men’s Lax Tops Hopkins in OT Thriller, 3-0 Tigers Primed for Next Test at No. 9 Maryland

PLAYING HARDBALL: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Adam Hardej heads to goal in recent action. Last Saturday, sophomore Hardej chipped in a goal to help Princeton edge Johns Hopkins 16-15 in overtime. The 10th-ranked Tigers, now 3-0, play at No. 9 Maryland (3-1) on March 7.(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

PLAYING HARDBALL: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Adam Hardej heads to goal in recent action. Last Saturday, sophomore Hardej chipped in a goal to help Princeton edge Johns Hopkins 16-15 in overtime. The 10th-ranked Tigers, now 3-0, play at No. 9 Maryland (3-1) on March 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Chris Bates has sensed a blue collar mentality around his Princeton University men’s lacrosse team this season.

“They have been taking a workmanlike approach, bringing their lunch pail every day,” said Princeton head coach Bates.

Last Saturday, the Tigers displayed some offensive flair and character to go with their work ethic as they outlasted Johns Hopkins in a 16-15 overtime thriller before 1,217 at Homewood Field in Baltimore, Md.

“We have talked about learning how to overcome things, like losing a lead, dealing with weather, referees, and injuries,” said Bates, whose team improved to 3-0 with the victory.

“It keeps guys focused on the job at hand. Anybody who watched that game, and I got a lot of texts and e-mails, could see the mental toughness and grittiness in our players.”

The Tigers made things tough on Hopkins from the opening face-off, jumping out to a 7-0 lead just 10 minutes into the contest.

“We did show poise,” said Bates. “It was good to share the ball like that; everyone was in the flow.”

Bates, though, realized that the Blue Jays would get in a flow of their own. “We knew the run had to end; we told the guys that there were 50 minutes left,” said Bates. “They have a really good offensive group; they came all the way back.”

Hopkins reeled off six straight goals to pull within 7-6 but Princeton went on a 3-1 run to build a 10-7 halftime advantage.

“We rebounded from their initial charge and got the goal at the end of the half,” recalled Bates, who got a goal from senior star and captain Kip Orban with 38 seconds left in the half. “We went into the locker room feeling good; we thought we had stemmed the tide.”

In the second half, the tide turned Hopkins’ way as it tied the game at 10-10 early in the fourth quarter and took leads of 14-12 and 15-14 late in regulation.

“We stayed even-keeled as coaches, for the most part,” said Bates. “We kept reminding them to do what we do and trust the system.”

Sticking to its offensive system, Princeton knotted the game at 15-15 on a Ryan Ambler goal with seven seconds left in the fourth to force overtime.

“With 32 seconds left, we had a couple of things drawn up,” said Bates. “We went through the progressions and Ryan made a nice finish.”

The Tigers finished the game in style as sophomore Gavin McBride converted a feed from freshman Riley Thompson with 1:07 left in the first overtime for the game-winning goal.

“You realize it is out of your hands to an extent and you just watch,” said Bates, reflecting on the overtime.

“We hit a pipe, their goalie makes a big save but then we get a turnover. Riley made a nice feed; he was under control. Guys moved and shared the ball. It was a good win. Hopkins is going to be a good team this year and we are rooting for them.”

Princeton has shown that it is a very good offensive team with a diverse attack. On Saturday, the Tigers got at least five points from five different players with Orban tallying four goals and two assists, classmate Mike MacDonald chipping in three goals and two assists, and junior Ambler also getting three goals and two assists. A pair of emerging sophomore stars, Zach Currier and Gavin McBride, also notched five points with the former getting two goals and three assists and the latter contributing three goals and two assists.

“I think it is equanimity,” said Bates. “The ball moves, the guys are unselfish, there is balance and poise. They are showing patience and ability to manage the game and give the young defense a rest.”

Bates acknowledged that the Tiger defense needs to show a little more poise.

“There were seven man-down goals by Hopkins, that makes it a totally different ball game,” said Bates, whose defensive unit is missing starters Will Reynolds and Mark Strabo due to injury.

“They have a really good man-up unit. We have had too many penalties; that is something we have to work on. They grew up a little and played OK. There are some puppies out there. There are things we have to improve on, like discipline and playing as a unit.”

Princeton, now ranked No. 10 nationally in the Inside Lacrosse Media Poll, will look to keep improving as it heads back to the Baltimore area this Saturday for a game at No. 9 Maryland (3-1).

“We haven’t played them in a while; we are excited to prepare for them,” said Bates.

“They are a storied program, we understand how good they are. It is bringing a lunch pail, starting on Monday. We will focus on ourselves and work on basics and playing our game.”