Men's Lacrosse: Between the pipes, a rock-solid leader

A junior goalie for the men’s lacrosse team, Fiorito received honorable mention All-America and second-team All-America recognition during his first two seasons. This season, Fiorito is putting up the best numbers of his career despite playing on what has been the worst team of his three years here. Harangued all year by injuries, the Tigers have stumbled to a 4-6 overall record. Fiorito, however, has been a rock in the cage, posting a career-low 7.24 goals-against average and a career-high .600 save percentage.

His consistency has been very helpful in a season of ups and downs. Fiorito has played every minute of every game.

“Tyler has been consistent all year,” junior defenseman Chad Wiedmaier said. “He always seems to find a way to keep his emotions for the game in balance which I think has really allowed him to be so consistent this year. You literally will never see him get angry about a goal nor get too energetic about a good play.”

Fiorito’s calm and poise have been among his most improved aspects in his time here.

“He’s settled and become a more mature college goalie,” head coach Chris Bates said.

Though the team has struggled on offense and in ball possession, Fiorito has played his best against big-time opponents. He made 10 saves in a 7-5 loss against then-No. 1 Syracuse and 14 saves in a 9-5 loss against No. 9 North Carolina. His best performance of the year came in a win over No. 2 Johns Hopkins, in which he saved nine shots and finished with an astronomical .750 save percentage for the game to help the Tigers to an 8-3 win. The Blue Jays had come into the game averaging over 14 goals per game.

Fiorito credits his improvement in goals to an increased focus on staying closer to the goal and relying more on his hands.

“When I’m at my best, I’m calm, relaxed, and I’m just waiting on the guy to shoot,” Fiorito said. “I’m relying on my hands to make the save. There were times last year when I’d get a little impatient and I’d step out. That’s why I’d start getting beat.”

In addition to his stopping power between the pipes, Fiorito has taken on more of a role as a team leader.

As a freshman, Fiorito stepped into an experienced defense with a guru for the ages, Chris Peyser ’09, calling the shots. Peyser, who former head coach Bill Tierney once said knew Princeton’s slide packages better than the coaching staff did, helped ease the transition for Fiorito. Last season, Fiorito began to take on more of a guiding role in the defense.

This year, he has come into his own as the defense’s field marshal. In addition to directing defensive alignments and sets, Fiorito ensures that his defensemen communicate with each other effectively.

“Tyler is a very intelligent player,” Wiedmaier said. “He is the quarterback of our defense.”

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“This year, it’s been easier for me to direct the defense,” Fiorito said. “I’ve been communicating well with [junior longstick midfielder] John Cunningham, Chad, [senior defenseman] Long [Ellis] and the others. Coach has focused on me listening this year and making sure everyone has their second slide. It’s not always about me. I’ve also got to make sure everyone else is talking.”

Fiorito has also improved in the clearing game. Key in this area was patience, a virtue that Fiorito has worked on, as he has a habit of getting jumpy. Extra time in the weight room was also important for the solidly built 6-foot-2-inch, 200-pounder.

“He’s in really good shape,” Bates said. “His patience has really helped us.”

“This past fall, I worked hard on getting in better shape by lifting more,” Fiorito said. “Working hard off the field has really helped on the field. I feel much more comfortable outside the goal in the clearing game and also with ground balls.”

The support of a very talented defense, which has counted at least one All-America in each of the last two seasons, has no doubt been an integral part of Fiorito’s success.

“Having [the defense] out there allows me to be relaxed,” Fiorito said. “When Chad is on the ball, I know we’re not going to be beat. Last year, we got beat a little bit off ball. With Chad being at full health and Long playing really well, guys can pay attention to their guys off ball.”

The great ones always find ways to improve, and Fiorito is no different. Having adopted a role as the vocal leader of the defense this season, he said he hopes to be a better leader.

“My main area for improvement is leadership,” Fiorito said.

“You can always improve in that area. I’ve been good at my job, but I can do a better job of demanding teammates to give everything they have.”

Princeton has a long history of talented goalies, but few have been as productive as Fiorito. With over a season left to play, Fiorito has entrenched himself in the upper echelon of Princeton goalies that includes hall-of-famer Scott Bacigalupo ’94, and former first-team All-America recipients Trevor Tierney ’01 and Alex Hewit ’08.

But the Tyler Fiorito story is a long way from its end: With a key Ivy League showdown against Harvard this weekend, Fiorito will have the chance to help boost his team into the Ivy League Tournament and a shot at the NCAA tournament. Ultimately, his legacy will be judged not just by save percentages and goals-against averages but by performances in major games with postseason implications such as this one.