FACE TIME: Princeton University men’s lacrosse face-off specialist Andrew McMeekin, right, goes after the ball in a game earlier this season. Last weekend, junior McMeekin starred as Princeton competed in the Ivy League tournament. McMeekin went 31 for 54 on face-offs with 22 ground balls as second-seeded Princeton defeated third-seeded Harvard 11-8 in the semis on Friday before falling 20-15 to top-seeded Cornell in the final on Sunday. The Tigers, now 12-3, received an at-large bid to the upcoming NCAA tournament where it will host Towson in a first round contest on May 10. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

In 2022, the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team caught fire down the stretch, getting an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament and making a stirring run to the semifinals.

With Princeton having earned an at-large bid to this year’s NCAA tourney, where it will host Towson in a first round contest on May 10, the team’s seniors are looking to come full circle by making a second run to the Final 4.

“To get that experience in ’22 helps shape your perspective, it helps shape your team a little bit and the understanding of how hard that was,” said Princeton head coach Matt Madalon. “You know what it takes and what you have to sacrifice day in, day out to get there. You work to get your group there.”

Last weekend, the Tigers faced some hard challenges as they competed in the Ivy League postseason tournament in Ithaca, N.Y. On Friday, second-seeded Princeton edged third-seeded Harvard 11-8 in a semifinal contest delayed by two and half hours due to thunderstorms earlier in the day. Two days later, the Tigers fell 20-15 to top-seeded Cornell in the final as the Big Red stormed past Princeton with a 7-1 fourth quarter.

Reflecting on the win over Harvard, Madalon credited his players with keeping their focus as they sat around for hours before hitting the field.

“With both teams dealing with it, there was no advantage or disadvantage,” said Madalon. “We just tried to keep the guys focused and concentrating throughout. They did a good job coming out of the gates after that long wait. Our support staff does a great job too, just making sure that our guys are comfortable.”

With the rivals tied at 8-8 heading in the fourth quarter, the Princeton defense clamped down as it held the Crimson scoreless over the last 15 minutes of the contest.

“I think the D did a really good job going between zone and man,” said Madalon.“It was just trying to keep Harvard at bay and give our offense some breathing room. It was like every time we looked at the scoreboard it was tied. The D was just really holding their own, they did a really good job. It was a good defensive game plan too.”

In the rematch with Cornell, who had defeated Princeton 15-10 on March 15 in a regular season meeting, the Tigers were planning to play cleaner lacrosse.

“We felt that when we came out there the first time we made a few too many mistakes in parts of the game where we normally take a great deal of pride in being clean,” said Madalon. “I think from playing that team twice, they force you into those positions a handful of times. They are a really complete team. That was the story on Sunday. We just made a few too many mistakes. Cornell is a really good team and they make you pay immediately.”

Leading 14-10 early in the third quarter, the Tigers couldn’t hold off the high-powered Big Red down the stretch.

“It was tough, we couldn’t get a stop,” said Madalon. “It is always possessions. We did get the ball but I don’t think we had as successful offensive possessions as we would have liked. We were just playing too much defense and I think we might have run out of gas a little. They did a good job of putting it on us.”

While the loss stung, Madalon praised his players for what they have already accomplished this spring as they head into the NCAA tournament.

“They earned an opportunity at a third straight Ivy championship,” said Madalon, who got four goals apiece from Chad Palumbo and Nate Kabiri in the final as they were both selected to the All-Tournament team while face-off man Andrew McMeekin also received that honor after finishing the weekend going 31 for 54 at X and scooping up 22 ground balls. “As a coaching staff, we are proud of this group to fight all the way through. You are ending a regular season and an Ivy season at 12-3. I am very proud of this group. At this point we are looking forward to our second season.
We understand that there are no second chances here.”

Looking ahead to the NCAA clash with Towson (11-5 overall, 7-0 Coastal Athletic Association), Madalon knows that his squad will have to fight hard to keep its season going.

“They are obviously a very good team, a conference champion. They have played some really great teams throughout the season so far,” said Madalon. “They have one of the top players in the country (Mikey Weisshaar- 46 goals, 22 assists). They have a very athletic offense and they are always well coached and physical defensively. There is a lot to focus on this week.”

The third-seeded Tigers should get a lift from being at home with that senior class primed for one last great effort at Class of 52 Stadium.

“For us, it is just playing our game,” said Madalon. “We are playing at 52 so it is just getting out and seeing how we can flex our systems to how they best fit this game plan. Any time you get to play another game on your home field for your seniors that is really cool.”