Severna Park Grads Making an Impact on Princeton Lacrosse

     Allison Behringer and Sarah Lloyd enjoyed plenty of success on the lacrosse field during their days in Severna Park High School and both are currently making a similar impact at Princeton University.

     Behringer is a starting defender for the Tigers and has been a stabilizing presence in the Princeton zone.  Lloyd has moved into the starting lineup in her first season at Princeton and is making an immediate impact. Both Severna Park natives are doing their part in getting the Tigers back into contention after a rare rebuilding season.

     “I don’t know how many years it had been since we had a losing season,” said Behringer.  “It’s so uncharacteristic of Princeton.  We had never been in that situation before where we had lost so many games. But there’s a real positive feeling this year.”

     Behringer was forced to play through last year’s 6-10 campaign, but was expected to be one of the Tigers’ top defenders this season, picking up seven ground balls through the first month of the season.  Lloyd is one of the few freshmen that cracked the starting lineup.  She has made the most of her opportunity with two goals and an assist in her first six games.             

     “Everybody hopes they can contribute,” said Lloyd.  “It’s been nice that I’ve been able to get into some games.  I think all of the freshmen are still adjusting a bit, but it’s been better after the first few games.”

     Behringer was one of several young starters who went through some growing pains last season.  However, her experience during her first two seasons with the Tigers prepared Behringer for an expanded role this spring.

     “We didn’t lose that many seniors from last season,” Behringer said.  “I think that most of the people here got a lot of time last year.  That’s really helped with building confidence.”

     Both players have fond memories of their days at Severna Park High School.  Behringer and Lloyd were both part of the unbeaten Falcons teams in 2007 and 2008.  Behringer, Lloyd and fellow-former Falcon Jaci Gassaway are now playing together at Princeton.

     “I love it,” said Behringer.  “I love having Jackie and Sarah on the team.  It was fun having their parents come up and having people from home at the games.  Getting a chance to continue that Severna Park tradition has been really fun.”

     “Severna Park was awesome,” Lloyd said.  “We had a great coach and some great teammates.  It’s nice to be able to play with Allison and Jaci again.  It was a bit of an easier adjustment on the field.”

     Behringer, who also plays field hockey at Princeton, credits her high school playing experience along with the winning environment at Severna Park for preparing her for the college level.

    “The core group we had my junior and senior years had great players,” Behringer said.  “We could depend on anybody to do well.  That’s what made us such a good team.”

     Lloyd knew the academics at Princeton were among the best in the country.  However, the feeling of family with the lacrosse team made her college choice an even easier one last year.

    “I really liked the team and the coaches,” said Lloyd.  “Everyone was really welcoming.  It was just the right place for me.  They made the adjustment easy for all of the freshmen.  I really like playing for them.”