O’Connor enjoys fast start for Tigers
By Justin Feil, Assistant Sports Editor
Matt O’Connor knew as well as anyone the challenge that was facing Tyler Fiorito’s replacement in goal for the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team.
O’Connor played just down the road at The Lawrenceville School. After four years in goal for the Big Red, he has stepped in for Fiorito, the graduated All-America goalie.
”It was definitely big shoes to fill,” said O’Connor, the Tigers’ freshman goalie. “Obviously, Tyler is one of the best we’ve had here and one of the best to play anywhere. Coach (Chris) Bates never brought it up, that we’re replacing Tyler or replacing Chad (Wiedmaier).”
The Tigers have replaced a lot in their starting lineup, and even in doing so and starting four freshman, they go into Saturday’s match at North Carolina unbeaten through their first three games. Princeton continued to play beyond its years in rallying from a three-goal deficit in the second half to stop Villanova, 14-11, Tuesday in their home opener at Class of 1952 Stadium.
”Just watching the team grow up and play with some composure and poise,” Bates said of the progress that he has seen in the 3-0 start. “We haven’t had an easy one yet. Hofstra is a tough place to play. Hopkins is clearly not an easy place to play. Villanova had the makings of a trap game. They’re a good team. For a young team to come away with a win and not lose its poise is a good sign.”
The Tigers were down 9-6 early in the third quarter when O’Connor came up with his biggest two saves of the game.
”Young guys, when the lights are on, are playing with some composure,” Bates said of his freshmen. “Jake Froccaro had another good game, Ryan Ambler was exceptional, Matt O’Connor was so-so, but in crunch time he was good. Mark Strabo same thing. That’s a good sign. When things are not going great, being able to stay poised and make plays is a big thing.”
O’Connor is still adjusting to the college level.
”The first thing I noticed in practice, I noticed in the fall that the ball is moving that much faster and you have to have that much shorter of a memory,” O’Connor said. “You’re going to give up some goals. That was a bit of a transition I had to make.”
Lawrenceville didn’t give up many goals with O’Connor in goal. They won the state Prep A championship every year that he was there as well as the Mid-Atlantic Prep league. He knew he didn’t have to go far to be happy at the next level.
”I have wanted to play at Princeton since I was little,” O’Connor said. “I grew up coming to games all the time, I went to the camps when I was a kid in the summer. I was always a big Princeton fan. When I was in high school, when I was talking to Coach Bates, it was pretty clear to me that was where I wanted to be.”
O’Connor, whose oldest brother swam at Princeton, has already come up big in some key spots for the Tigers. He made 10 saves in the 11-8 win at Hopkins on Saturday, then played better in the second half as Princeton overtook Villanova. Jeff Froccaro had three goals and Ambler had three goals and two assists.
”Matt’s got the makings of a guy you want as a leader of your team,” Bates said. “He’s unflappable, and when he gives up a goal, he doesn’t have a long memory.
”Our expectations are what they are. We don’t expect him to be Tyler. There are going to be some games you want back. We’re committed to learning and growing with him and helping to develop his leadership. He’s a pretty solid goalie. He can play for me any day.”
O’Connor is well aware of the comparisons that could be made, and he’s working to become the sort of player that Princeton has come to expect in its goalies.
”Tyler replaced a four-time All-American,” O’Connor said. “It’s a pretty cool tradition we have here with goalies. It’s kind of in the back of your mind a little bit, but you can’t think about it like that all the time.”
O’Connor could have been helped in being eased into the starting role if the Tigers weren’t replacing their entire defense in front of him. They are learning on the job as well.
”I’m sure it would have been different if we were returning three seniors,” O’Connor said. “But we do have a lot of experience at the defensive end, but they’re in different spots. Nick Fernandez played a lot, but he switched positions. Jack Strabo, Josh White, their leadership and experience help. Mark Strabo, another freshman, is guarding well. We’re starting to come together a little bit. It’s a process. We’re kind of learning together as a group. It’s been fun.”
Said Bates: “A lot is being made of the four freshmen starters, but a lot of other guys are getting their first minutes. Alex Beatty is getting his first minutes. Will Rotatori is getting his first minutes. A lot of guys are gaining experience. To gain experience and get wins at the same time is a real bonus.”
To get another win Saturday will be another challenge for the Tigers, who have risen all the way to No. 5 in the country in the latest polls. UNC is coming off an overtime loss to No. 2 Notre Dame, and they will be hungry for a win.
”They’re explosive athletically,” said Bates, who sits one win from his 100th career victory. “They pose matchup problems for anybody. They’re big and long defensively. They face-off very well.”
Winning face-offs have been a problem for the Tigers. They turned to Jeff Froccaro, who won 5-of-7 late Tuesday, to provide possession to key their run against Villanova. The Princeton offense has proven efficient with the ball in its hands, and they get some of the credit for bringing along O’Connor and the inexperienced defense so quickly.
”There’s obviously so much talent we have at the offensive end,” O’Connor said. “Some of the success we’ve had so far is that we’re going against Tom Schreiber, the Froccaros and Mike MacDonald in practice. We go head-to-head with those guys every day.”
It has helped the Tigers start faster than many outside the program expected. Princeton has been relying on its youth and it has come through in a hurry.
”You work all year, you work all fall and you work all winter with the goal in mind that come the spring, all the work will be put to use and you’ll come into games and win,” O’Connor said. “It’s been hard, but I wouldn’t say I’m surprised that we’ve had success so far. It’s a hard-working team.”
Matt O’Connor is proud to have earned the starting goalie position, and prouder still of the encouraging start that the Tigers are off to, as well as his own career.
”It’s been great so far,” he said. “Just to be a part of the program has been awesome. It’s been great to have the opportunity to play. It’s been a lot of fun and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season and the next couple years to come. It’s definitely an honor to play here. It’s been awesome so far.”