Behind Enemy Lines: Erin Tochihara, Princeton

The last time the Harvard women’s lacrosse team beat Princeton, the first George Bush was still in the White House. But the two squads went in opposite directions after 1992.

The Tigers soared to the top of the nation, winning back-to-back NCAA titles in 2002 and 2003 before Virginia upset its bid for an undefeated season and a third straight title in the tournament finals.

Meanwhile, the Crimson sunk to the bottom of the league, and the once-fierce rivalry became a guaranteed victory for Princeton, which has won 17 straight over Harvard since ‘92. But after its two titles, the Tigers have started coming back to earth, whereas the Crimson has started to reemerge as a conference threat.

Could this be the year Harvard finally breaks the streak?

Princeton has fallen out of the national rankings, a rarity for the team, and lost, 11-8, to a Cornell team that the Crimson felled, 10-4. Less auspicious for those in Cambridge is the Tigers’ 11-2 victory over a Yale squad that defeated Harvard, 17-13,  and their 16-6 win over a Brown team that knocked off the Crimson by a goal.

Much of the game will be decided by which Princeton defense shows up: the one that allowed 11 goals, or the one that allowed two.

Princeton’s defense is anchored by junior Erin Tochihara, a second team All-American a year ago. Last year, the goalie posted a save percentage of .530 and allowed an average of 8.41 goals per game against the Tigers’ usual mix of conference rivals and national powers.

The junior has been more vulnerable this year with a .473 save percentage and a 10.44 goals against average. Her cumulative statistics were most recently wounded by a 6-13 loss to No. 3 Maryland.

Given that Princeton’s offense has scored in double-figures in all but two contests in a schedule laced with nationally-ranked foes, it seems unlikely that the Tigers’ attackers will be unable to score at least a few goals against the Crimson.

On paper, Princeton is favored to take victory no. 18 and keep the streak going.

Excluding the loss to the Big Red, the Tigers have had better results against stronger opponents. But if the Crimson can frustrate Tochihara as Cornell did, then Harvard may be able to pull off what would be a stunning upset and taste a victory 18 years in the making.