#10 UVa. women’s lax falls at #16 Princeton

The 10th-ranked Virginia women’s lacrosse team was edged on the road by No. 16 Princeton, 9-7, on Saturday (March 17) at Sherrerd Field. Senior attacker Josie Owen (Gibson Island, Md.) led the Cavaliers with two goals and two assists.

The loss dropped Virginia’s record to 4-4 overall. Princeton snapped a two-game UVa win streak in the series and improved to 3-2 on the season.

In addition to Owen’s four points, Virginia midfielder Julie Gardner (Severna Park, Md.) had a goal and an assist, while Katie Slater (Kensingon, Md.), Ainsley Baker (Corning, N.Y.), Liza Blue (Butler, Md.) and Kelsey Gahan (Towson, Md.) each scored one goal for UVa.

The teams traded goals to open the first half, with Princeton striking first at the 27:34 mark on a Cassie Pyle goal. Virginia countered less than two minutes later, as Gardner found the back of the net off of a pass from behind the goal by Owen.

Virginia’s second goal of the game was a free position goal by Gahan – her first collegiate goal. Slater and Blue also had goals for UVa while Owen added another assist but the Cavaliers and Tigers were knotted 4-4 at halftime.

In the second half, Princeton put together a three-goal run on scores by Pyle, Charlotte Davis and Sarah Lloyd that gave the Tigers a 7-4 lead with 23:17 remaining.

Forced to play catch-up, Virginia got a goal from Owen at the 19:32 mark on a free position shot to pull within two goals at 7-5.

Princeton responded, however, with a goal by Cassie Pyle two minutes later to regain its three-goal lead.

Virginia cut the deficit to two goals again with 4:07 to play on an Owen goal (assist by Gardner). On the ensuing draw control, freshman Morgan Stephens (Olney, Md.) earned possession for the Cavaliers but Gardner’s point-blank shot was saved by Tiger goalkeeper Annie Woehling.

Virginia did not get closer down the stretch as Princeton held on for the 9-7 victory.

Virginia goalkeeper Kim Kolarik (Riva, Md.) took the loss and registered four saves in defeat. Woehling was impressive with 13 saves for the Tigers.

Virginia out-shot Princeton, 27-21, and held a 20-19 advantage in ground balls.

Up next, Virginia returns home to host No. 20 James Madison on Wednesday (March 21). That contest at Klöckner Stadium is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.