Samaras nets six to lead women's lacrosse to hard-fought victory

With eight minutes, 15 seconds elapsed in women's lacrosse's game against Yale Saturday, Princeton fans had to be experiencing a sick feeling of deja vu.

Once again, the Tigers were having difficulty defending a team that employed a patient, precise attack. Once again, Princeton was having trouble solving the tenacious defense being played by an inspired opponent. Once again, the Tigers were behind early, this time by the score of 3-1.

Instead of getting angry as they did against Virginia April 5, however, Princeton got even, quickly tying the game at 4-4. From that point forward, Princeton (7-2 overall, 3-0 Ivy League) did not trail again. The Tigers eventually came away with a crucial 14-10 win over the visiting Elis (7-2, 2-2).

Once again, junior midfielder Cristi Samaras was the key to Princeton's success, scoring a season-high six goals and adding two assists. Primarily an offensive-minded midfielder, Samaras also forced several turnovers in the Tigers' defensive zone with effective stick-checks.

Patience

Perhaps no play better exemplified the poise Princeton displayed than one that occurred towards the end of the first half. With the Tigers in possession and the score tied, 4-4, the Eli defense hung tough and Princeton was forced to methodically pass the ball around the perimeter for almost a full minute. Finally, Samaras managed to get open in front of the net and when she did, junior attack Tice Burke hit her with a perfect pass. That well-earned goal officially marked the end of the Tigers' offensive doldrums.

Princeton took a 7-5 lead into the intermission and came out firing on all cylinders to start the second half. Samaras, sophomore midfielder Hillary Maddox and senior attack Mellisa Cully each scored once during a decisive 32-second span that put Princeton ahead 11-5 with 19:06 remaining in the game. Cully's tally extended her goalscoring streak to six games.

From that point on, Princeton remained in control. Although the Tiger defense, playing without junior defender Holly Gutelius, allowed Yale to score three consecutive goals late in the game, Princeton's victory was never in any serious jeopardy.

Brick wall

In truth, the Tigers' four-goal margin of victory was not an accurate indicator of their solid performance. Eli goaltender Allison Cole, who came into the game as the Ivy League leader in overall minutes, saves and save percentage, was magnificent. Head coach Chris Sailer expressed relief that the Tigers did not grow frustrated. "I was honestly surprised that we got down early again," Sailer said. "It was big that our kids were able to come back; I think there was more heart out there today."

Freshman midfielder Julie Shaner agreed, noting that her teammates refused to be discouraged by their inauspicious start.

"Even though we had some lapses," Shaner said. "We came back hard after them."

Career numbers

Samaras's six goals raised her career total to 119. During the game, she passed Phyllis Fogarty '91 and moved into a tie with Kimberly Simons '94 for fifth place on the school's all-time goalscoring list. Samaras and Shaner are the only two Princeton players that have registered at least one point in every game this season.

With another critical game coming up Wednesday against Delaware, Princeton players and fans alike hope that April 11, 1998, will be remembered the day the Tigers finally regained their long-lost confidence.