Women's Lacrosse: Tigers Advance to NCAA Quarterfinals

Entering the NCAA Tournament, Princeton women’s lacrosse was rolling, winning four straight to finish the regular season and adding a commanding two-game sweep at the Ivy League Tournament. “We want to keep seeing what else we can do on the field,” head coach Chris Sailer said.

Sailer’s anticipation was rewarded in the first two rounds of the NCAA draw: The Tigers dismantled Fairfield, 18–8, in their opener and followed that with an 8–4 win over sixth-seed Stony Brook. Abby Finkelston ’18 scored four goals in the latter game, helping Princeton advance to the national quarterfinals for the first time since 2011. (Results from the May 16 quarterfinal game against Duke were not available for this issue.)

While the Tigers have their share of senior leaders — including Erin Slifer, the Ivy Midfielder of the Year, and U.S. national-team player Erin McMunn — the team also has leaned on a stellar sophomore class. Four Princeton sophomores were selected to the Ivy All-Tournament team.

Sailer said her team’s best qualities were on display in the Ivy final, when Princeton topped defending-champion Penn for the second time in three weeks. “They believe in themselves and they trust each other,” she said. “They just have great chemistry on the field, and I think that really shows when they play.”