Croddick, Wade Lift Princeton to ACC-Ivy Challenge Sweep

PRINCETON, N.J. — Ryan Croddick helped No. 10 Princeton cap a big weekend with an 11-9 win over No. 6 North Carolina at the Tigers’ Class of 1952 Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Croddick, the senior goalie, made a career-high 25 saves — several of them spectacular — and Tucker Wade’s lone goal was the winner as the Tigers (3-1) handed North Carolina (5-1) its first loss of the season.

“Croddick probably had a handful of saves,” Princeton coach Matt Madalon said, tongue-in-cheek. “That made a difference.”

It came on the heels of Friday’s 11-7 win over No. 5 Syracuse to sweep the ACC-Ivy Challenge. The win was the third straight for Princeton after a lopsided loss to Penn State to start the year.

“We really went internal after that first game,” Croddick said. “I think the media and the press got to us early on in the season with that first game, coming in super highly ranked. But we came together, went internal, and just figured it out both offensively and defensively and really got it done the past two weeks.”

The ACC-Ivy Challenge was another chance to build on the turnaround. The defense stood out in Friday’s impressive win over Syracuse, and Croddick backstopped another stout defensive showing while Nate Kabiri had six points on three goals and three assists, Colin Burns had four goals and an assist while feasting on a short-stick matchup, Chad Palumbo had a goal and two assists and Parker Reynolds had a pair of assists.

Wade’s game-winner snapped a 9-9 tie with 3:56 to go off a feed from Reynolds, the freshman who’s been an early contributor. Wade’s father, Ryan, was a three-time All-American at North Carolina and two-time ACC Player of the Year before being named MVP of the 1998 World Championship.

Wade’s mother and uncle also went to UNC, and his sister is a student there now.

“Today’s kind of a fun day,” Wade said. “There’s a little bit more emotion to it, I guess, but it’s really because they’re a great team and it’s always fun to play a great team.”

UNC’s Brady Wambach gave the Tar Heels plenty of possession with wins in 13 of 23 faceoffs. Princeton countered with Andrew McMeekin (6-for-16) and Russ Fitzgerald (4-for-7).

North Carolina got a pair of goals from Dom Pietramala, and one goal apiece from James Matan, Owen Duffy, Luke Bair, Anthony Raio, Luke Macaluso, Gary Merrill and Brevin Wilson. Duffy also had three assists. Freshman goalie Josh Marcus made 12 saves.

Croddick, though, was even better. Croddick’s previous career-high was 24 against Rutgers last year, but by halftime Sunday, he already had 13. He made eight stops in the fourth quarter alone.

“I wish we didn’t have to have that,” Madalon said. “Honestly, I wish we played better — better-timed slides, better 1-on-1 defense. I wish he didn’t have to have that performance, but we’re happy he’s back there.”

Croddick helped Princeton play with the lead for most of the game. Burns scored off a feed from Kabiri two minutes into the contest for a 1-0 lead. After Pietramala tied it five minutes later, Kabiri found Burns again for a lead that lasted another 40 minutes.

Princeton held a 4-1 lead on goals from John Dunphey and Palumbo. UNC scored three of the final four goals in the second quarter to go into halftime down 5-4.

Kabiri scored in transition to begin the second half, but Raio answered for the Heels less than a minute later. Princeton re-established a three-goal lead on goals by Burns and Kabiri, both assisted by Palumbo, and Macaluso cut the Princeton lead to 8-6.

Croddick made a pair of saves in the final 30 seconds to keep it that way going into the fourth quarter.

North Carolina started the fourth with three straight goals. The Tar Heels took their first lead with under 10 minutes left on Wilson’s goal, but Princeton battled back to tie it on Peter Buonanno’s unassisted goal with 8:14 left.

The Tigers responded well to their first deficit.

“It didn’t feel great, but there was good energy in the stands,” Madalon said. “The Carolina crowd was humming, our guys were humming, and we/re looking at our guys and being like, ‘Hey, You gotta make a play. No one’s going to hand this thing to you.’ You’ve got to go out, make plays, execute. So, it’s good to come out with this one.”

North Carolina had its chances to tie. Princeton, though, forced a shot clock violation, and after a Marcus save at one end, Croddick made three saves in a blur to keep the game tied with 4:30 left.

“I think I blacked out, but it was super quick,” Croddick said. “Just kind of ate them with my body, got in front of it. They were pretty close to the cage.”

The Tigers fed off the momentum as it swayed back to their side. Wade scored half a minute later.

“It’s just trying to step up in the moment,” Wade said.

Sunday was the first day that Princeton has had a player score more than two goals this season. It had been the picture of balance through its first three games.

“You can really see how it helps us in this stretch, especially with weekends like this where you’re playing two games in three days, where there’s a lot going on with their bodies,” Wade said. “Being able to rely on the guys to the left and right is really valuable. And I think it makes us a little bit more dynamic when you’re not having someone take the whole load of the offense.”

Princeton got an insurance goal from Kabiri with 2:38 left. UNC won the ensuing faceoff but immediately turned it over. Princeton gave it right back, but Croddick stole a crossing pass to end the Heels’ threat.

“It’s really great,” Croddick said. “This weekend simulates what would be in the final four playing two days apart. We just really want to prepare for that. And it’s great playing these tough opponents.”

Princeton hosts Rutgers next Saturday, looking to keep the momentum going while building an impressive non-conference resume before opening Ivy League play at Yale on March 14. The Tigers helped themselves a lot with their ACC-Ivy Challenges sweep.

“Super happy that we get these opportunities to put ourselves in a position, but there’s a lot that could go wrong,” Madalon said. “We’re just going to take next week and keep going at it.”