PRINCETON, N.J.
— Welcome to Class of 1952 Stadium in Princeton, N.J., for the start of tonight's first-round NCAA Tournament game between the Massachusetts men's lacrosse team and fourth-seeded Princeton.
I'll be liveblogging the game today, however, a few warnings: First, the internet here is atrocious and I'm stuck outside in the sun and strong wind. It's tough to see my screen. My apoligies. Second, per NCAA rules, I am only allowed to update the blog twice per quarter. Don't get me started on that...
Game is underway. Follow the action here...
FIRST QUARTER
11:44 -- UMass' Evan Blum had an early chance, but the shot was saved. Princeton's Rich Sgalardi answers back with a goal to take the early lead. Princeton 1-0.
7:20 -- UMass can always count on Jim Connolly when it needs a goal. Today apparently is no different. Tied 1-1.
6:20 -- Princeton scores again (Mark Kovler) after hitting the post on two shots. Tigers goalkeeper Tyler Fiorito has been strong early. Princeton 2-1.
4:33 -- The UMass contingency is loud and just got fired up after Doc Scheider made three saves in a row, after Brennan Mack flattened someone with a big hit and after a Princeton goal was disallowed due to a crease violaton.
2:15 -- An unreal move by Jim Connolly gets him free, but the shot was saved. Princeton's Fiorito has looked terrific.
END OF FIRST QUARTER: Princeton 2, UMass 1
SECOND QUARTER
13:31 -- Tim Balise hits the post. We've seen three of those today already. It's hard enough for the attackers to score on these elite goalkeepers, it's almost not fair that they have all the luck today so far, too.
11:19 -- Princeton's Scott Mackenzie scores the first goal of the second quarter to extend the lead. Princeton 3-1.
6:40 -- Timeout Princeton. UMass can't get anything (at all) going offensively. And when they get a decent look, Fiorito has made a nice save.
5:39 -- The Tigers score again on a beautiful move. A three -oal deficit is dangerous for a UMass offense that hasn't shown any life tonight. Princeton 4-1.
4:25 -- An incredible save by Doc Schneider who goes into a split to make the save. The ball popped up into the air and Doc swiped it away on his back, but the referees say the ball crossed the line for the goal. Timeout UMass, and they need it, especially after Schneider pleaded with the officials that the goal should not have counted. Tough to tell from my vantage point. Mark Kovler scored each of those last two goals. Princeton 5-1.
1:55 -- Crazy sequence. Bare with me. Doc makes two great saves and the ball goes out of bounds, while both teams argue who should gain possession. It's given to Princeton and Doc Schneider argues. He's called for an unsportmanlike conduct penalty, and backup GK Mael Walkowiak is forced to come in.
He stops the Tigers from scoring on the man-advantage, but UMass quickly turns it over and Princeton scored. What do you know, it was Mark Kovler with his fourth goal (three straight). Princeton 6-1.
END OF FIRST HALF: Princeton 6, UMass 1
THIRD QUARTER
14:20 -- Some life, perhaps? Tim Balise scored on a jump-shot goal. As an added bonus, Princeton is called for a 1-minute slashing penalty. Princeton 6-2.
13:25 -- Hmm. More life. This time it's Jim Connolly on the man-advantage. Princeton 6-3.
11:00 -- Rory Pedrick commits a slashing penalty (from 50 yards away from the goal) after a turnover, giving Princeton a golden opportunity. But the Tigers squander it. UMass holds possession for a few minutes afterwards but a turnover again leaves them with nothing to show for it.
7:57 -- Mark Kovler is single-handedly killing UMass right now, He just scored his fifth goal at a crucial time to kill the UMass momentum and bring the lead back to four. Princeton 7-3.
6:45 -- Someone different actually scored for the Tigers, ending a five-goal run by Kovler. That one hurt bad for UMass. Lead up to five. Princeton 8-3.
6:02 -- UMass' Evan Blum gets a much-needed goal. But if the Minutemen don't get the next one, that might be it. Princeton 8-4.
5:00 -- And there it is. HUGE tally for the Minutemen. Shocker alert: It was Jim Connolly, his third. Princeton 8-5.
2:22 -- Princeton keeps answering back after UMass scored two in a row to getback into it. Princeton 9-5.
0:00 -- Just as the period ends, UMass' Casey Rahn is called for a penalty for unnecessary rougness. Princeton will begin on the man-up.
END OF THIRD QUARTER: Princeton 9, UMass 5
FOURTH QUARTER
10:30 -- UMass kills four seperate penalties. I kid you not. Three slashes and one unneccesary roughness. They even had a 2-man advantage, but the Tigers couldn't score. UMass still trails by four. Running out of time here...
8:52 -- Jim Connolly scores is fourth after UMass killed a million penalties (it felt like it). Princeton 9-6.
6:20 -- Timeout UMass.
4:37 -- UMass still has possession, but no goals to show for it. The Minutemen need one now. Timeout once again.
2:30 -- Pedrick's shot saved and Princeton finally has it. Time a problem now for UMass.
2:07 - Princeton scores and that will do it. I'm headed down to the field so I can get interviews. Check the website later for full coverage of the game. Princeton 10-6.
1:15 -- Bobby Hayes scores. Princeton 10-7.
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