“[The defense] played together today,” Crimson coach Lisa Miller said after the Apr. 17 contest. “The defense took some balls away in midfield transition. We didn’t give [Princeton] what they like to do. We took away their running game, and I thought that was huge, the way the attack re-defended.”

The Tiger offense responded in the second half, notching four goals in less than 10 minutes to pull within two with 44 seconds left.

But as time wound down, Harvard’s defense managed to halt Princeton’s comeback, forcing a turnover and securing the team’s first win against the Tigers in 18 years.

And on top of the contest’s historical significance, the win held great importance for the 2010 Crimon squad.

Needing a win to keep alive hope of earning one of four playoff berths in the inaugural Ivy League tournament, Harvard came together when it mattered by defeating its higher-ranked conference opponent.

In the crowd for Alumni Day to witness the win were members of the 1990 women’s lacrosse team, who were celebrating the 20th anniversary of their national championship season.

“I just think that with all the alumnae there, it was a huge win for our program,” VanderMeulen said. “When we think back to the season, we’re going to think back to that day.”

—Staff writer Martin Kessler can be reached at martin.kessler@college.harvard.edu.

—Staff writer Jessica L. Flakne can be reached at jflakne@fas.harvard.edu.