Tigers’ Miller sparks second-half run past Vanderbilt lacrosse
By: Justin Feil
Vanderbilt’s ball-control offense and attentive defense held the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team to two goals in the lowest scoring half in NCAA semifinals history on Friday. After 30 minutes, the top-seeded Tigers led just 2-1.
"I would have liked a larger lead at halftime," said Princeton head coach Chris Sailer. "But I think we’re the kind of team that wears other teams down. The way we played in that second half is definitely the way we’re capable of playing. That’s really going to do a lot for our confidence heading into our next game."
Ten seconds into the second half, the Tigers had their larger lead as Kathleen Miller scored unassisted off the draw for a 3-1 lead. Princeton built on that play with five more goals before Vanderbilt ended a drought of 31 minutes, 8 seconds with a goal to make it 8-2. By then, there was little question that the Tigers were headed for a third straight national title game, and a shot at a third straight NCAA championship Sunday.
"The ball was right there and I caught it and I was running my hardest down the field," said Miller, a freshman whose second goal of the game made it 9-2. "I actually thought I’d be taking it around the cage, but the goalie stepped out one step and there was this a little pocket and I decided to go for it and I did it. It worked out pretty well."
With an 11-3 win over the Commodores on Friday, Princeton remained unbeaten in 28 games dating back to last year, improved to 19-0 this year and set up a rematch of the 2003 final against No. 2 seed Virginia 2 p.m. Sunday in Princeton Stadium. The Cavaliers defeated Georgetown, the 2002 runner-up to Princeton, 12-9, Friday night.
"I thought it was a great game for us," Sailer said. "I’m really pleased with how our kids came out in that second half. Our attack really started clicking. I think that made all the difference for us. We’re excited by the way we played and we’re looking forward to our next game."
Princeton defeated Virginia, 8-7, in overtime last year to make it back-to-back championships. Only Maryland has won as many as three straight NCAA women’s lacrosse titles.
Princeton hopes that the same sort of momentum that carried them through the second half Friday can carry over to Sunday. Miller’s goal seemed to turn the tide for the Tigers, who allowed just five Vanderbilt shots in the second half while firing 22 themselves.
"I just think it was such a bizarre goal, I think everyone was so pumped and psyched that everyone said, ‘OK, we have to get this going,’" Miller said. "It sparked everyone so that they could take it and do whatever they wanted to do."
"One thing we said," added Sailer, "was that if we’re going to win it, it’s going to be in our attack’s hands. Our D’, we thought, was playing really well. We were seeing what was going to open up. And that made all the difference for us."
Theresa Sherry led the Tigers with three goals. Miller and Elizabeth Pillion had two goals apiece. Four other Princeton players scored one goal apiece.
"Kathleen’s play off the center draw was so key for our whole team," Sailer said. "To come out and have that goal in that fashion, 10 seconds into the half, everyone felt, ‘OK, now we’re going to go.’ When we got to 4-1, then 5-1, it was like the floodgates opened."
Princeton has won 11 straight games in NCAA tournament play. Vanderbilt ended its season – its ninth ever – at 12-6 after its first appearance in the NCAA Final Four. Kate Hickman led the Commodores with two goals.