Men's Lacrosse: Playoff hopes remain after 8-4 victory

Although Princeton (4-6 overall, 2-2 Ivy League) outshot Dartmouth (4-7, 1-3) in the first half, the score was tied 2-2 entering the third quarter. Dartmouth goalie Fergus Campbell kept his team in the game, replicating the success he had during the same event last year when the Big Green took down Cornell. Fortunately for the Tigers, they did what Cornell was never able to do. With an extra-man opportunity, sophomore midfielder Jeff Froccaro beat Campbell off freshman midfielder Tom Schreiber’s assist to put the Tigers up 3-2 with 10 minutes left in the third period.

Schreiber broke through again less than five minutes later, scoring unassisted midway through the period. Although Dartmouth attackman Brendan Rotanz responded 41 seconds later to pull the Big Green within one score, this period belonged to Princeton. Senior attackman Chris McBride took Schreiber’s assist to the goal, as Princeton went up 5-3.

Starting off the fourth, it looked as though Dartmouth might have some early momentum after an extra-man opportunity for the Big Green. But senior defenseman Long Ellis scored with a man down two minutes into the period to put Princeton up 6-3. It was the first goal of Ellis’ career.

Dartmouth attackman Jeff Perkins provided one last offensive gasp for the Big Green when he scored at the 10-minute mark, making the score 6-4. However, Dartmouth only attempted four more shots in the period as the Tigers’ defense locked down.

Frocarro provided a spark on offense, scoring two unassisted goals, and the Tigers won the game 8-4. The sophomore found the net four times on Saturday, bringing his goal total for the week up to seven after a hat trick at Rutgers on Tuesday. Schreiber also had a career week, as the rookie was involved in four goals, bringing his total over two games to 10 points.

The Tigers pressed on the offensive end early in the first period, with strong defensive pressure to keep the ball on the Big Green’s end. Schreiber, sophomore midfielder Tucker Shanley, McBride and junior attackman Mike Grossman accounted for seven shots before Dartmouth’s first opportunity on goal, an attempt by Rotanz midway through the period that junior goalie Tyler Fiorito wrapped up. However, despite Princeton’s offensive intensity, Campbell was a wall in goal for the Big Green, and he racked up 11 saves in the game’s first 20 minutes.

The Tigers finally broke through 10 minutes into the period when sophomore attackman Luke Armour scored off an assist from junior attackman Cliff Larkin. Princeton outshot Dartmouth 16-5 in the first quarter.

The Big Green dialed up their own defensive pressure early in the second period, and their offense responded in kind, as midfielder Patrick Resch found the back of the net with 10 minutes, 36 seconds left in the first half. The Tigers withstood successive offensive probes in the following minutes until Princeton took advantage of its two-man-up advantage following penalties by Dartmouth midfielders Dennis Foster and Chris Costabile.

Schreiber assisted Froccaro to put the Tigers up 2-1, but the Big Green fought right back, as attackman Kip Dooley scored with 15 seconds left in the half following a ground ball pickup. Princeton had outshot Dartmouth 24-16 and turned the ball over less often, but the score was tied at 2-2 entering the third period.

Fortunately for the Tigers, they finally breached Campbell’s defense and earned a key Ivy League win. Princeton will need to continue its hot streak next week against Harvard at home before traveling to Ithaca, N.Y., the following week to face No. 5 Cornell. If Princeton pulls off victories in the coming weeks, it will significantly improve its position for both the NCAA and Ivy League tournaments.