Severna Park's Jaci Gassaway Starts New Season at Princeton

          Jaci Gassaway and the Princeton Women’s Lacrosse team are both making a comeback. 

     Last year, the Severna Park native was seeing plenty of playing time during her freshman season with the Tigers before being sidelined by an injury.  Princeton, a program that can usually be found in the Top 20 rankings, was going through a rare rebuilding season.  This year, Gassaway is back at full strength and the Tigers are back in the national rankings.

     “I was coming off a knee injury from last year,” said Gassaway.  “But it’s also about being a sophomore instead of a freshman.  I’m playing a bigger role on the attack.”

     Gassaway’s expanded role has resulted in more victories for Princeton.  She leads the Tigers in scoring with 13 points in four games.  Gassaway has eight goals on the season, with two coming in dramatic fashion.  Gassaway scored the game-winning goal with 3:40 remaining in the season opener as Princeton defeated Johns Hopkins, 9-8. 

Gassaway’s heroics continued four days later as she scored with 25 seconds left in overtime to give Princeton a 9-8 win over Rutgers.  The Tigers are 3-1 on the season and are ranked 17th in the country.

     “A lot of it has to do with maturity,” Gassaway said.  “Also, we were just not happy with the way the season went last year.  That’s a big motivator, too.  I think our entire team has really stepped up.  There’s a lot more energy on our team.”

     Despite suffering the injury a year ago, Gassaway appeared in 14 games last spring and started in four.  It allowed her to gain valuable experience and make an easier adjustment to college lacrosse.

     “It helps with your confidence,” said Gassaway.  “The pace of the game is a lot faster than it was in high school.  It’s a lot more physical.  It’s just something you have to adjust to and get used to.”

     Last year, the Tigers missed the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 13 years.  They finished with a record of 6-10 and were eliminated in the first round of the Ivy League Tournament.

     “Last year was not what Princeton lacrosse was all about,” Gassaway said.  “Obviously, it was a rebuilding year.  We lost a lot of games that we probably could have won.  It comes down to pride coming back for this year.”

     Gassaway is hoping to enjoy the same type of success at Princeton as she had in Severna Park.  She was part of a remarkable run for four years at Severna Park High School.  The Falcons went 74-6 over a four-year period and put together a pair of unbeaten seasons.  Gassaway and her teammates captured state championships in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

     “We just had a great group those two years,” said Gassaway.  “I think everyone that played on those teams both years went to Division I schools.  It was really a lot of fun.”

     Gassaway was equally successful in the classroom.  She was a member of the 2008 US Lacrosse national all-academic team.  Her academic achievements gave her the opportunity to attend one of the most prestigious universities in the country.  However, it was more than just academics that made Princeton the perfect fit for Gassaway.

     “The coaching staff was awesome,” Gassaway said.  The team was so welcoming on all of the visits.  The whole team just really meshes well, which is really nice to see when you are looking for colleges.”

     Gassaway is thrilled to be playing lacrosse for Chris Sailer, the Princeton head coach who has put together one of the most successful programs in Division I women’s lacrosse.

     “It’s kind of cool to be a part of her legacy,” said Gassaway.  “Last year, she won her 300th game and it’s amazing to think about how many that is.  She’s had so much success.  You learn something new every day even after being here for two years.”

     As the Tigers continue their quest for an Ivy League title, Gassaway won’t be the only Severna Park native leading the way.  Junior defender Allison Behringer and freshman midfielder Sarah Lloyd are former Falcons who are also key contributors to the Tigers’ success.

     “Allison was with me those two years at Severna Park,” said Gassaway.  “We’ve become really close over the years.  We also have Sarah, so it’s fun all playing together.”