PHILADELPHIA – The #17 University of Pennsylvania men's lacrosse team opens Ivy League play Saturday evening in a 7 p.m. clash with No. 18 Princeton at Franklin Field.
 
The game is presented by Independence Blue Cross with Penn Lacrosse koozies given to the first 400 fans who attend.
 
The Quakers are looking to get back on track after falling their last time out against Villanova, 9-8, to drop to 0-2 at home so far in 2023. The Tigers have dropped three straight games after winning their first two contests to open the year.
 
GAME 6: #17/16 Penn (2-3) vs. #18/17 Princeton (2-3)
Saturday, Mar. 18 | 7:00 p.m.
Philadelphia, Pa. | Franklin Field
Watch (ESPN+, NBCSP+) | Live Stats | Game Notes | Tickets
 
Ivy League Opener
*After a grueling non-conference schedule to begin the 2023 season, the Quakers embark on a brand new Ivy League schedule, beginning with rival Princeton Saturday night at Franklin Field. Penn is looking for a win in its first Ivy opener since a 19-10 victory over the Tigers in 2019. The Quakers fell to PU, 21-20, in overtime during last season's Ivy opener at Old Nassau.
 
The Penn-Princeton Series
 *This will be the 90th matchup all-time between regional rivals Penn and Princeton for men's lacrosse with the Tigers leading the series, 68-21. The Quakers fell to Princeton, 21-20 in overtime last season and the Tigers have won six of the last 10 matchups dating back to 2011. The last time these two teams played at Franklin Field, Penn won, 19-10, during the 2019 campaign.
 
The Last Time Out
*In last Saturday's finale of the Philly 4 Lacrosse Classic, Penn fell to Villanova in a heartbreaker at Franklin Field. The Quakers had a two-goal lead with under 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter when the Wildcats began their journey back, scoring three straight times with under six minutes to play and twice in the final two minutes to come away with a 9-8 victory for the Farrell Cup.
 
Sam Handley led the way on offense with two goals and two assists for four points, while Ben Smith and Hugh Mullane also had two scores to lead their teammates. In net, junior keeper Emmet Carroll made a career-high 21 saves with a .700 save percentage.
 
Going Carroll-ing
*Speaking of Carroll, he continued his impressive start to the season by winning Penn its first Ivy League Player of the Week honor on Monday after his great set of performances against nationally-ranked Saint Joseph's and Villanova last week. Carroll totaled 35 saves with a save percentage of .625 over the two contests, making 14 stops in an OT win at Saint Joseph's and a career-high 21 against Villanova. In five games this season, Carroll ranks third in the nation in saves per game (15.80) and eighth in save percentage (.581).
 
How Bout A Hand For Handley?!
*Handley is beginning to come into his own just five games into the season, becoming a real focal point for the Quakers' offense thus far. He's second on the team with nine goals so far, adding a team-high seven assists and leads Penn with 16 points.
 
Helping Out Around The House
The Quakers have a total of 36 assists on their 51 goals this season with a team-high eight for James Shipley. Handley is second on the team with seven, Dylan Gergar with six, and four apiece for Cam Rubin, Robert Schain and Tynan Walsh.
 
Getting Battle-Tested
*This will be the sixth game in a row that the Quakers will take on a ranked team, already having faced #8 Georgetown (9-7), #10 Duke (12-14), #17 Penn State (9-15), #17 Saint Joseph's (13-12 OT) and most recently #14 Villanova (8-9).

Penn In The National Stats
*1st in clearing percentage (.961).
*4th in fewest turnovers per game (13.40).
*4th in saves per game (15.80)

Penn Players In The National Stats
*Carroll is currently third in the nation for saves per game (15.80) and eighth in the nation for save percentage (.581).

Penn in Ivy Stats
*The Quakers rank first amongst Ivy opponents in clearing percentage (.961) and first in fewest turnovers per game (13.40) heading into Saturday. Penn is second in saves per game (15.80).
 
Penn Players In Ivy Stats
*Carroll is second among Ivy goaltenders in save percentage (.581) and saves per game (15.80).

*Ethan Till is ranked fifth in caused turnovers per game (1.40).

*After his five against the Hawks, Shipley slides into fourth in assists per game (1.60).
 
Scouting The Tigers
*Princeton enters the game with a 2-3 record and is on a three-game losing streak.
 
*After opening the season with a pair of victories over Monmouth (22-9) and Manhattan (14-9) the Tigers fell Maryland (11-5), Georgetown (13-10), and most recently Rutgers in overtime (14-13).
 
*Four of their five games this season have been at home. Princeton's only away game so far was last weekend's OT loss at Rutgers.
 
*Coulter Mackesy leads the Tigers with 21 points on 15 goals and six assists. He is also their highest shot taker with 44. Alexander Vardaro is second on the team with 11 goals and 16 points, while Sam English has a team-high nine assists.
 
*Between the pipes, Griffen Rakower has made 41 saves in five games with a save percentage of .603 and a GAA of 10.80.
 
Follow The Action
*Saturday's prime-time game will be streamed live on ESPN+ and regionally through NBC Sports Philadelphia Plus with Joe Tordy (PxP) and George Corrigan (Analyst) on the call. Live stats will also be provided.