This year has marked a notable season for women’s lacrosse within the Ivy League, as five of the eight teams have secured positions in the top 25 national rankings. This impressive performance highlights the competitive landscape of the conference, outpacing the total number of teams eligible for the Ivy League Tournament.
“With so many teams in the top 25, each conference match presents a significant challenge,” said junior attacker Haven Dora in an interview with The Daily Princetonian. “Every game exudes intense competition and heightened emotions.”
Princeton women’s lacrosse enters the Ivy League Tournament as the No. 1 seed, boasting a record of 13–2 overall and 6–1 in the Ivy League. They are set to face fourth-seeded Brown (10–5, 4–3) in the semifinals on Friday, May 2, at 4 p.m. In the other semifinal, No. 2 Yale (12–3, 5–2) will compete against No. 3 Penn (10–5, 5–2) at 7:30 p.m.
Despite being ranked No. 24 nationally, Harvard (9–6, 3–4) will not participate in the tournament, having lost to both Princeton and Yale during the season.
As hosts, the Tigers will perform at Sherrerd Field, a venue where they last hosted the tournament in 2022, ultimately winning against Yale to secure their seventh consecutive Ivy League title. After a two-year title drought, Princeton is keen to reclaim their championship status.
“As the top seed, we have a target on our back, and every opponent will bring their best game,” Dora noted.
Strategic Preparations
In a previous encounter during the regular season, Princeton narrowly edged out Brown with a score of 15–13, although they faced challenges with a slow start and trailed the Bears initially.
Moving into the postseason, the Tigers aim to refine their strategy for the rematch against Brown. “This matchup will be tough,” stated Head Coach Jenn Cook. “We need to focus on our game plan and execute the fundamentals at a high level.”
“Facing Brown again shortly after our last game adds difficulty, as they will come out with renewed intensity,” added Dora.
Princeton enters the game with momentum, having won their last two matches, while Brown looks to break a two-game losing streak. The Bears are known for their ability to score late, often turning games in their favor during the second half. Therefore, establishing and maintaining an early lead is essential for the Tigers.
Princeton’s offensive efficiency will play a crucial role, as they rank fourth nationally in shots per game. Senior attacker McKenzie Blake, who ranks fourth in the country for goals per game, will be a key contributor alongside teammates Dora and junior attacker Jami MacDonald. “Our offense has encountered various defensive formations lately, which should prepare us well for what we’ll face,” Cook explained.
Acknowledging Team Achievements
As the postseason ramps up, recent Ivy League awards have been announced, with Blake earning the title of Ivy League Attacker of the Year and Cook and her staff being recognized as Ivy League Coaching Staff of the Year.
Cook credits much of Princeton’s triumphs to her coaching staff, highlighting the crucial roles of associate head coach Kerrin Maurer and assistant coach Maggie Brown on offense, along with assistant coach Molly Dougherty who works closely with goalies and defense.
Through their leadership, the Tigers achieved an impressive 11-game winning streak this season, excelling in both offensive and defensive play, ranking tenth nationally in scoring offense and fourth in clearing percentage.
Cook emphasized the collaborative effort required from her coaching team when developing tactical game plans. “We have worked tirelessly to create effective strategies,” she remarked. “I genuinely believe we have the best coaching staff in Division I.”
As Princeton prepares for their intense match against Brown, securing a win would not only advance them in the Ivy League Tournament but also likely qualify them for the NCAA Tournament.
“Our focus must remain on the immediate challenge in front of us—Brown,” Cook concluded. “We know it will be tough, and we must maintain our discipline.”
Dora echoed this sentiment, stating, “We need to play cohesively, sticking to our game plan and staying poised under pressure.”
Lily Pampolina is an associate Sports editor and a staff audience creator for the ‘Prince.’ Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
