March 25, 2015

Displaying Grit in Pulling Out Another 1-Goal Win, No. 10 PU Men’s Lacrosse Edges No. 11 Yale 11-10

ZACH ATTACK: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Zach Currier looks for an opening in recent action. Last Saturday, sophomore midfielder Currier contributed two assists and three ground balls to help Princeton edge Yale 11-10. The 10th-ranked Tigers, now 6-1 overall and 2-0 Ivy League, host No. 13 Brown (6-1 overall, 1-0 Ivy) on March 29.(Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

ZACH ATTACK: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Zach Currier looks for an opening in recent action. Last Saturday, sophomore midfielder Currier contributed two assists and three ground balls to help Princeton edge Yale 11-10. The 10th-ranked Tigers, now 6-1 overall and 2-0 Ivy League, host No. 13 Brown (6-1 overall, 1-0 Ivy) on March 29. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

When Princeton University men’s lacrosse head coach Chris Bates reviewed the tape of his team’s game against Yale last Saturday, he saw plenty of room for improvement.

“When we looked at the film, we saw that we didn’t execute well anywhere on the field,” said Bates.

“There are lessons there. We struggled facing off, they have always been good there. We got out ground-balled and there was some suspect offense.”

But while Bates didn’t like the video, he was pleased with what he saw on the field as Princeton pulled out an 11-10 win over the Bulldogs.

“To come away with a win against Yale, we are thrilled,” said Bates, whose team improved to 6-1 overall and 2-0 Ivy League with the triumph. “That is a talented team that beat a very good Maryland team earlier.”

In Bates’ view, his team’s come-from-behind 12-11 at Rutgers on March 17 helped set the tone for the effort against Yale.

“We knew they were going in to be a handful and they were,” said Bates, referring to Rutgers, which led Princeton 8-5 at halftime of the annual local showdown.

“We demonstrated some poise. At halftime, we don’t want to bark but we reminded them of some fundamental things. We played a workmanlike second half, Mike (MacDonald) got hot and that was important. We remained even-keeled. There is a quiet confidence about this team; they continue to play hard in crucial moments and execute.”

Predictably, there were some crucial moments in the Yale game as it marked the sixth straight regular season one-goal decision in the series.  Although Princeton outscored Yale 5-1 in the second quarter to take a 7-4 lead at halftime, Bates had a feeling things would tighten up.

“We were able to pull away a little in the second but we let them back in the game,” said Bates.

“They keep possession with face-offs and they were able to get that run. We are still young defensively. Yale makes you pay but our group kept after it. Eric (Sanschagrin)  made a couple of saves.”

The Princeton group is showing an encouraging propensity for coming through in tight contests.

“Getting two one-goal wins in a week helps you grow up,” said Bates, whose team went 2-7 in one goal games the last two years. “We are learning how to win close games and that only comes with experience.”

Senior midfielder and sole team captain Kip Orban is growing into a force, scoring four goals in the win over Yale.

“Kip played well; he is playing like a captain and, frankly, like an All-American,” asserted Bates. “He is playing like a man, using his size and strength. They put a shortstick on him and a pole on Zach (Currier); we were surprised by that.”

The team’s corps of defensive midfielders gave Princeton another strong performance.

“Austin deButts, Bobby Weaver and Austin Sims have the thankless job in the defensive midfield,” said Bates.

“They were solid. They kept the ball going up the side of the field. You don’t notice them but that is a sign that they had a good game, it is like offensive linemen in football.”

Bates certainly took notice of the heart and soul displayed by sophomore defender Bear Goldstein as he played through pain.

“Bear Goldstein had a possibility of not playing because of injury, his was a game-time decision,” said Bates.

“That kid’s toughness and leadership on that side of the field was big. If he doesn’t play, I am not sure we win that game. He knew it was a big Ivy game and that his team needed him out there.”

The 10th-ranked Tigers have a very big Ivy game this Sunday as they host No. 13 Brown (6-1 overall, 1-0 Ivy).

“They have a new offensive coordinator and they are playing at a high pace and generating a high volume of shots,” said Bates, referring to Brown. “It is going to come down to face-offs, making saves, and controlling tempo.”