CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Francis Ellis and Jason Duboe each tallied two goals, and Joe Pike made nine saves in net for Harvard, but the Crimson fell in overtime to No. 17 Princeton, 9-8, before 1,601 fans Saturday afternoon at Harvard Stadium Harvard (4-6, 0-3, Ivy League) led most of the way in the game and held a 7-3 advantage late in the third, but the Tigers mustered six of the last seven goals including the game-winner at 2:07 of overtime.

Ellis, Nick Sapia and Duboe each tallied unassisted goals in the first seven minutes of the game, giving the Crimson an early 3-0 lead. Princeton (6-4, 3-0 Ivy League) answered with a score by Jack McBride with 2:47 remaining in the opening stanza, but Harvard captain Brooks Scholl gave the Crimson its second three-goal lead with a tally in the final seconds of the first.

In the second, the teams tallied back-to-back man-up goals as Princeton's Bob Schneider scored his first of four goals on the afternoon at 13:14. Duboe followed with a tally at 10:54, giving Harvard a 5-2 lead. After Schneider scored again at 5:32, Max Motschwiller made it a 6-3 game heading into halftime. At the midway point, shots were even, 17-17, but Princeton held an advantage in ground balls, 11-8, and faceoffs, 8-3.

In the second half, Ellis gave Harvard its largest lead of the day, 7-3, as he scored unassisted at 5:30 of the third. Princeton, however, scored the next three goals to pull within one with only 6:08 remaining. With Harvard needing a big goal, Jeff Wannop delivered with his first goal of the season, as he swung around the net and fired at 4:58.

The Tigers again got within one score after Tommy Davis found the back of the net at 2:04. Princeton then tied the game on Schneider's third tally with only 1:20 left to play, as Princeton came back to force overtime.

In the extra session, Harvard had a quality scoring change in the opening minute as Zach Widbin moved past a Princeton defender who slipped, but Alex Hewitt made the biggest save of the afternoon on Widbin's attempt, giving the Tigers possession. After Princeton called timeout, the Tigers moved the ball around the Harvard zone. Rich Sgalardi took the ball and found Schneider, who ripped a shot that got past Harvard goaltender Joe Pike and into the net, giving Princeton the sudden victory.

For the game, Princeton outshot Harvard, 37-27, and held a 24-18 advantage in ground balls. Both teams were successful on clear attempts, as Harvard was 15-for-19, and Princeton went 12-for-13. The Tigers won 15 of 21 faceoffs. The Crimson returns to action Wednesday, April 16, with a visit to Brown at 7:00 p.m.

* * * *

Bob Schneider was four years old the last time Harvard defeated Princeton in men's lacrosse. Now 22, Schneider made sure that Princeton's streak against the Crimson didn't end on his watch.

Schneider, a senior captain, scored a career-high four goals, including the game-winner 1:53 into overtime, to lead Princeton to a thrilling 9-8, come-from-behind win over Harvard in front of 1,601 at Harvard Stadium. Schneider's third goal, with 1:20 remaining in regulation, had forced overtime. Princeton has now defeated Harvard 18 straight times.

Princeton never led in the game until Schneider's game-winner, and the Tigers trailed for 54:46 before Schneider tied it. Harvard's biggest lead was four at 7-3 in the third quarter. Alex Hewit robbed Harvard's Zach Widbin on the doorstep on the first possession of the overtime. Schneider scored on Princeton's only OT possession.

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2008-04-12