GETTING DEFENSIVE: Princeton University women’s lacrosse senior defender Shannon Berry guards the crease in a game earlier this season. Last Sunday, Berry and her classmates enjoyed a special Senior Day, helping Princeton defeat Harvard 17-13 in the regular season finale. The Tigers, now 7-8 overall and 4-3 Ivy League, are next in action when they compete in the Ivy postseason tournament in Philadelphia, which will determine the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tourney. The third-seeded Tigers will face second-seeded Yale on May 5 in the semis with the victor advancing to the final on May 7. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

The constant rain and occasional downpours that soaked the Class of 1952 Stadium last Sunday afternoon didn’t dampen the spirits of the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team as it hosted Harvard in the regular season finale.

“I think we really embraced the rain, everyone was so excited to come out here,” said drenched senior defender Shannon Berry, clutching the bouquet of flowers she received in the Senior Day ceremony. “There were a ton of emotions definitely running through. It was our last game on ’52, it was a bittersweet moment.”

Overcoming a 6-4 second quarter deficit, Princeton pulled out a sweet 17-13 win over the Crimson.

The Tigers, now 7-8 overall and 4-3 Ivy League, are next in action when they compete in the Ivy postseason tournament in Philadelphia, which will determine the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tourney. The third-seeded Tigers will face second-seeded Yale on May 5 in the semis with the victor advancing to the final on May 7.

“We really came out here today and fought hard and battled Harvard,” said Berry, who scooped up two ground balls and had one caused turnover in the victory. “It was a great game. I am so proud of everyone, overall it was just an amazing day.”

With the rivals locked in a 7-7 stalemate at halftime, the Tigers broke the game open with a 7-3 run in the third quarter as Kate Mulham, Grace Tauckus, McKenzie Blake, and Haven Dora triggered the Princeton attack. Tauckus and Blake each ended up with four goals in the win while Mulham and Dora chipped in three apiece.

“This team loves a dogfight; we love a tie game at half, stepping back on the field it is 0-0 again,” said Berry. “I think we handled it well. We thrived under that pressure and came out on top. Knowing that it is our last game on ’52 for our season, that energy really propelled us forward. We just wanted it so bad and we were hungry for this win. That was the driving force.”

The Tiger defense fought hard as it stymied a high-powered Crimson attack.

“I was so proud of our defensive unit,” said Berry. “We had each other’s backs and left our hearts on the field.”

Over the years, Berry has seen her role in that unit evolve as she has developed into the voice of the backline and a team captain.

“It has certainly changed a lot from freshman year to now,” said Berry, a 5’5 native of Setauket, N.Y., who has tallied seven goals and five assists in her career with 33 ground balls and 12 caused turnovers. “I have certainly grown a lot in terms of developing my voice into a leader this year as a captain. It has been an honor to serve as a captain. I know everyone on defense has my back, it has been great.”

Berry and her teammates are primed for a great fight against Yale, having fallen 15-10 to the Bulldogs in a regular season meeting on March 4.

“We are so excited to head to Philly next weekend and take it to Yale,” said Berry. “We are on the upswing now, I think we will be hot heading into next weekend. I think the keys for us are keeping our energy up. We have had wins and losses this year. I think just learning from the mistakes we have made and fixing those and just bringing it all.”

The squad’s senior group, who helped Princeton win the 2022 Ivy tourney on the way to the second round of the NCAA tournament, is looking to go out with a bang.

“It is make the most of it,” said Berry. “This is it for us so hopefully we will come out on top in the Ivy tournament and start dancing for the NCAAs.”

No matter what happens this weekend in Philadelphia, Berry has gotten a lot out of her Princeton experience.

“I am so blessed to have such amazing teammates and amazing coaches,” said Berry. “I have developed so much as a person but would not have done that without the amazing people around me.”