NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Matt Brandau reached another significant milestone in his final regular season game at Reese Stadium. Brandau's second goal of the afternoon was the 355th point of his remarkable career, making him the Ivy League's all-time leader.
Unfortunately, Brandau's record-breaking day wasn't enough to lift the Bulldogs to victory. Coulter Mackesy scored five goals and Michael Gianforcaro made 16 saves as Princeton topped Yale 15-8, spoiling Senior Day at Reese Stadium.
The Bulldogs, who saw their seven-game winning streak snapped, won't have to wait long for another crack at the Tigers. The teams meet again on Friday in the first semifinal of the Ivy League Tournament at 6 p.m. at Cornell. Princeton (9-4, 4-2 Ivy) is the No. 2 seed and Yale (11-3, 4-2 Ivy) is the No. 3 seed. No. 1 Cornell hosts No. 4 Penn in the second semifinal at 8:30 p.m.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Brandau,
Max Krevsky and
Carson Kuhl each scored twice to lead the Bulldogs.
Logan Soelberg had one goal, and Brandau added an assist. Goalies
Jared Paquette and
Hugh Conrad each played a half and both finished with five saves.
Patrick Hackler contributed four ground balls and two caused turnovers.
TURNING POINT
Brandau's first goal of the afternoon pulled Yale within 4-3 early in the second quarter, but Princeton answered with the next four goals. Kuhl stopped the run with a goal with 2:44 left, but Princeton's Chad Palumubo scored with three seconds left to give the Tigers a 9-4 halftime advantage. Princeton then scored the first three goals of the third to seize control.
KEY STATS
The Tigers won 21 of 27 faceoffs and had a 43-22 edge in ground balls.
NOTES
• In addition to breaking the Ivy League's career point record, Brandau also tied the league's all-time goal record. His second goal was his 197th at Yale, tying him with Brown's Dylan Molloy.
• Brandau was one of 11 seniors honored on prior to the start, joined by Bragg, Hackler,
Bryce De Muth, Brett Mallee, Xander Martin, Jack Monfort, Jack Ocken, Clay Ostrover, Korbin Pecora and
Nicholas Ramsey.
• The Bulldogs were successful on all 20 of their clears.
IVY TOURNAMENT ON ESPNU
All three games of the Ivy League Tournament, including Sunday's 1 p.m. championship game, will be televised nationally on ESPNU.
