Division I Men :      March 18, 2000 [ The Game Story]
Princeton 11 Hofstra 8 Scoring: Scoring: Josh Sims Bj Prager Dan Clark Matt Striebel Brendan Tierney Matt Bailer Chris Harrington (3, 1) (3, 1) (2, 1) (1, 1) (1, 0) (0, 1) (1, 0) Scott Dooley Brian Spallina Doug Shanahan Chad Eisenhart Joe Kostolansky Joe Barile Adam Hananel (3, 0) (2, 0) (1, 1) (0, 1) (1, 0) (1, 0) (0, 1) Saves: Saves: Trevor Tierney 10  (0.556) Michael Demeo 14  (0.560) Current Record :     (2-1) Current Record :     (1-3) Team Page For 2000 Team Page For 2000       The Game Story:

The game began with a behind the back shot by Princeton longstick Ryan Mollett off the opening face-off that missed by a foot, but that would be the beginning and end of the fancy stickwork as both teams looked to be feeling the chill. Hofstra lost possession twice on 10 second violations and again for the in and out call on their restraining line. Despite the Dutchmen's mental blunders, they took a 3-1 lead in the first quarter while Princeton was experiencing their own difficulties. Dooley scored the first goal for Hofstra when he picked up his own rebound and finished on the second attempt. Dan Clark then tied it for the Tigers with a face-dodge from behind going to his right. Dooley pulled a similiar move coming from behind to put Hofstra back up and then the Flying Dutchmen converted a man-up situation to end the quarter 3-1.

In the second stanza, Doug Shanahan was able to unleash the cannon for Hofstra when an errant pass found its way to him as he was standing in the sweet spot, about fifteen yards out to the goalie's left, with time to wind up. Teams are aware of his shot and don't usually allow him the time to crank up, but he did and his team had a commanding 4-1 lead. Chris Harrington made it a two goal game with one of the few passing plays that resulted in a goal on the day, with a quick give n' go with B.J. Prager. Dan Clark beat his man again from behind to pull back within one. Hofstra longstick middie Brian Spallina got his first of two on the day in an unsettled situation when he faked a pass and split two defenders to make it 5-3. Spallina was the star of the game with two goals -- and his defense was stellar. Princeton's best midfielder and most dangerous weapon on offense, Josh Sims, couldn't get anything going against Spallina. Sims, however, did find himself on a shorty and simply bulled his way past with 24 seconds in the half to leave it 5-4.

The Tigers opened the half with a pair of penalties, but they weathered the storm and capatalized on a Spallina penalty to tie it at five. Princeton went on to score the next four, which would ultimately be the deciding factor. Princeton hit with Sims again, as well as Matt Streibel, B.J. Prager and Brendan Tierney. Hofstra fought back, but Trevor Tierney was solid in net and Princeton's young defense of Ryan Mollett, Damien Davis, and Scott Farrell played well. Damien Davis was especially impressive. Spallina's second goal came off a fast break, but it wasn't enough as the game ended in an 11-8 victory for the Tigers.