Princeton Beats Virginia, 8-7, in Overtime for NCAA Women's Lacrosse Crown
5/18/2003 4:33:57 PM | Women's Lacrosse
Final Statistics
Junior midfielder Theresa Sherry scored with 1:29 remaining in overtime as Princeton (16-4) won its second-consecutive NCAA Division I women's lacrosse championship with an 8-7 overtime victory against Virginia at the Carrier Dome. The Tigers, who captured their third NCAA title in 10 years, recorded four of the game's final five goals to claim the title.
"I'm so proud of everything our team accomplished this season," said Princeton head coach Chris Sailer after the game. "We lost seven seniors from last year. It took us a while to get it going, but it really came together for us down the stretch. I give Virginia a lot of credit. They stretched us to the limit, but I couldn't be more proud of what our kids accomplished."
Virginia (17-5) jumped out to a 3-0 lead just 6:48 into the contest behind two goals from Cary Chasney and one by Morgan Thalenberg. Lauren Aumiller assisted on all three tallies. Sherry registered the first of her team-leading three goals at the 7:27 mark of the first half to put Princeton on the scoreboard. She scored again at 9:37 to pull the Tigers to within one (3-2).
Amy Appelt increased Virginia's lead back up to two goals (4-2) when she bounced a shot past Princeton goalie Sarah Kolodner at the 19:56 mark.
PU's Elizabeth Pillion converted a pass from Alex Fiore at 26:44 to keep the Tigers within one (4-3) at halftime.
Aumiller recorded her fourth assist of the game when she set up Courtney Young just 2:30 into the second stanza to give Virginia a 5-3 advantage, but once again, Princeton had an answer. Pillion tallied her second goal of the afternoon at 35:25.
Virginia's Caitlin Banks pushed her team's lead back up to two goals (6-4) 1:38 later with an unassisted tally.
Princeton tied the contest at 6-6 with back-to-back goals by Lindsey Biles.
Chasney gave the Cavs a 7-6 edge with 13:51 remaining in regulation. Virginia went into stall mode in order to shave time off the clock, but Princeton applied defensive pressure, came up with the ball and put it in the stick of Whitney Miller, who sprinted up the middle of the field uncontested and scored with 1:39 remaining to tie the score at 7-7.
With less than 30 seconds remaining in regulation, Virginia worked for a game-winning shot. The team cleared out for an isolation play designed for Appelt. She drove in from the right side, but her shot sailed wide right.
In overtime, Pillion had the best look at the goal for either team. Her wide-open shot was tipped away by UVA goaltender Andrea Pfeiffer.
Sherry, Pillion and Miller were named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team, along with teammate Sarah Kolodner. Senior defender Rachel Becker earned Most Valuable Player honors for Princeton.
Other members of the NCAA All-Tournament team included: Suzanne Eyler and Marianne Gioffre from Loyola, Kelly Coppedge and Alexis Venechanos from Maryland, and Tiffany Schummer, Laurie Kenis and Caitlin Banks from Virginia.
NCAA Division I Women's Lacrosse Championship Final
Princeton 8, Virginia 7 (Overtime)
Princeton 3-4-1=8
Virginia 4-3-0-=7
Princeton Goals: Theresa Sherry 3, Lindsey Biles 2, Elizabeth Pillion 2, Whitney Miller 1.
Princeton Assists: Alex Fiore 2, Sarah Small 2
Virginia Goals: Cary Chasney 3, Amy Appelt 1, Caitlin Banks 1, Morgan Thalenberg 1, Courtney Young 1.
Virginia Assists: Lauren Aumiller 4.
Shots: Virginia 24, Princeton 23
Groundballs: Princeton 43, Virginia 37
Draw Controls: Virginia 11, Princeton 8
Clears: Princeton 13-17, Virginia 15-18
Saves: Virginia 10 (Andrea Pfeiffer), Princeton 9 (Sarah Kolodner)
Fouls: Virginia 8, Princeton 6
Turnovers: Princeton 19, Virginia 18
Attendance: 1,630
