HISTORIC DEBUT: Princeton University men’s lacrosse player Michael Sowers eludes a foe last Saturday as Princeton hosted NJIT in its season opener. Freshman attackman Sowers tallied two goals and five assists to help trigger the offense as Princeton rolled to a 22-8 win over the Highlanders. Sowers’s assist total broke Ryan Boyle’s school record for assists in the first game of a freshman year (four in his 2001 debut). The Tigers have a busy week coming up as they are slated to host Marist on February 21 and Hofstra on February 25. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Ending up with a swollen right eye and a bandage covering a nasty gash on his temple, Michael Sowers took some lumps as he made his debut for the Princeton University men’s lacrosse team last Saturday.

But the precocious freshman attackman dealt out more pain than he received as Princeton hosted NJIT in its season opener, tallying seven points on two goals and five assists to spark a 22-8 rout of the Highlanders.

As he hit the field last Saturday at Class of 1952 Stadium, Sowers was fired up to get his college career underway.

“Since September you are getting ready for this one day, just to get going,” said Sowers, who broke Ryan Boyle’s school record for assists in the first game of a freshman year (four in his 2001 debut).

“Playing with all of these guys is really something special. I have been following this team since I have been playing lacrosse. To finally step on the field has been a dream come true.”

Sowers felt a comfort level with his new teammates right from the start on Saturday.

“We are put in a place to make plays for me, all I have to do is follow the seniors and their leadership with Gavin McBride, said Sowers, a 5’8, 165-pound native of Dresher, Pa. who is the all-time leader in assists in U.S. high school lacrosse history with 402. “Those guys put me in a nice spot.”

It didn’t take long for Sowers to make a nice connection with Tigers junior midfielder Austin Sims, who was his teammate last summer on the U.S. squad that won the 2016 U-19 Men’s World Championships, as they combined for two first half goals.

“He knows how I play and I know how he plays so we are able to work together pretty well,” said Sowers, who was named to the All-World team at the conclusion of the competition as he tallied 22 points on 11 goals and 11 assists for the U.S.

In reflecting on making the jump to college lacrosse, Sowers knows he has to play faster.

“I think it is the speed of the game and where you have an extra split second to make a decision in high school, it changes,” said Sowers.

Getting banged up after diving for his second goal early in the second quarter, Sowers received medical attention on the sideline and then returned in the second half wearing No. 37 instead of his No. 22.

“I think it ended up being that the helmet came down and got me,” said Sowers, who also skinned his knee on the play.

“I didn’t know what the extent was but I figured I was going to be OK. I think they are going to stitch me up in the training room.”

Sowers picked up his final assist on the day in the third quarter as a number of players got on the scoresheet in the rout.

“To be able to get out here and get a first win and everyone contributes is really a great feeling,” said Sowers.

Princeton head coach Matt Madalon acknowledged that Princeton is getting a great boost from the addition of Sowers.

“He is just a good, smart player,” said Madalon, who was making his debut as head coach of the program after serving as the interim coach the last five games of the 2016 season. “When you can be that shifty and dynamic, it just makes plays look a little better within the system. He did a really good job for his first outing.”

Senior superstar midfield Zach Currier produced a dynamic performance as well, contributing four goals, two assists, six ground balls, and two caused turnovers.

“Top to bottom, we cherish our days with coaching him, we are thrilled that he is wearing our uniform,” said Madalon of Currier.

It was thrilling for Madalon to see 12 different players score a goal in the triumph.

“We got everyone who was healthy and able to play into the game,” said Madalon, who got three goals from McBride in the victory with Sims, Connor McCarthy, Philip Robertson, and Adam Hardej chipped in two apiece in addition to the output from Sowers and Currier.

“I am not saying it was our goal coming into this game; our goal coming into this game was to win the game and execute at a high level. But to be able to do that and reward guys who do it every day in practice is really nice. We are going to play a lot of young guys. We are class blind, the guys that produce in practice will play.”

The Tigers got good production at the defensive end as well. “We were missing a couple of guys, but we got to play two goalies,” said Madalon, whose starting goalie, junior Tyler Blaisdell, made five saves and allowed two goals in the first half and former Hun School standout and freshman Jon Levine recorded six saves and yielded six goals in his debut as he played the second half.

“It was good; a lot of that down there was just letting guys get in. We wanted to see who could execute within the system. Nick Bauer did a good job as our longstick midfielder, he took a majority of our runs. Our shortsticks, JT Caputo, Chase Williams, and Sam Gravitte did a heck of a job.”

With Princeton facing a busy week coming up as it is slated to host Marist on February 21 and Hofstra on February 25, Madalon is looking for his players to keep executing.

“We just want to stay healthy, get a couple of good days of practice, and we are on to the next one,” said Madalon. “It was a good first day.”

Sowers, for his part, is keeping things in perspective after his brilliant first outing. “I think it is a compliment to our system,” said Sowers, reflecting on his record-breaking performance.

“It is so cool because in our offense it could be me today and somebody else tomorrow. It is just in the flow of the offense.”