"Princeton is a good, solid team," Wheaton said. "In Ivy League games, things like this do happen."

But Wheaton certainly wasn't thrilled with his team's play, which should not have allowed Princeton the success that it had.

An encouraging moment occurred at the opening of the second half, when Vinton converted a corner kick by Johnston to put Harvard up, 1-0.

It seemed as if Wheaton had lit a fire under his players at halftime, and Harvard would soon have the game well in hand.

Princeton was not fazed, though, and Harvard was unable to press its advantage. In fact, Princeton came back to tie the score on a breakaway by Tigers junior Danielle Ryan.

Even that failed to galvanize the Crimson. Princeton continued to take quality shots on goal and the game appeared headed for certain overtime.

Then came the gift, and the game was over.

"We stuck with it, and that got us through," Vinton said.

The Crimson, though, should not have had to "stick with it."

They should have been able to stick it to the Tigers.