The Radcliffe lacrosse team slipped again this weekend, this time to Princeton, 5-2, Saturday morning on Princeton's home field.

The game, which was played under a downpour, found the laxwomen on the short end for the seventh time since they returned from their southern trip.

The two Radcliffe goals were scored by Margie Williams and Anne Johnson. The laxwomen's hottest scorer, Carrie Minot, did not make the trip to Princeton because she has torn tissue in her ankle. Minot had tallied six goals in two games last week.

"The defense played very solidly, but the offense had a little trouble," coach Debi Field said yesterday.

"But in the second half, I think we took more shots than Princeton. The attack was really moving," Field added.

The team used a man-to-man defense, while their opponents utilized a zone defense. Field said the laxwomen's man-to-man defense was more effective than Princeton's zone.

Without the fine play of the defense, Field said the score could have been "unbelievable." The Princeton team tied Penn, which overran the laxwomen earlier in the season, 14-3.

Field shifted a few positions, switching Williams from deep attack to midfield and putting more speed on the outside by moving team captain Carlene Rhodes and Nancy Kerrebrock to the wings.

By the second half, the rain was turning the field into a slippery sea of mud. The ball skidded every time it hit the ground, so bounce passes were out.

"We played a passing game in the second half," Field said. "It was the best team effort of the year."

Laurie Benton, playing cover point, played her best game, Field said, because she successfully contained Emily Good-fellow, Princeton's best player.

Tomorrow, the laxwomen will trek down Storrow Drive to play Boston University, looking for their first win. Saturday, the team will be on the highway again, but this time, their bearings will be to the north, where Dartmouth will host the laxwomen.

The team currently holds an 0-7 record, which is partially because of the plethora of injuries that has removed five possible starters from the roster.