Field Hockey: Tigers draw No. 2 seed, will face Drexel in NCAA tournament

The field hockey team swept through its opponent in the NCAA play-in game on Tuesday, as No. 2 Princeton shut out No. 13 Lafayette, 6-0, at Columbia’s Baker Athletics Complex in New York. Fresh off a one-loss regular season and an undefeated Ivy League season, the Tigers (17-1 overall, 7-0 Ivy League), led by three goals from senior striker Kat Sharkey, had no problem dealing with the Leopards (16-1). Princeton will now move on to the first round of the NCAA tournament to face Drexel in Charlottesville, Va., on Saturday.

The Tigers were aggressive from the start, scoring with their first shot on goal when senior midfielder Katie Reinprecht found sophomore striker Allison Evans open on the right side. Evans finished, and Princeton led just under two-and-a-half minutes into the game. Four minutes later, the Tigers scored two quick goals in the span of a minute, the first from sophomore back Sidney Kirby with an assist from Sharkey and the second unassisted from Sharkey. Seven minutes into the game Princeton led 3-0.

Princeton did not relent, scoring two more goals in the half and another in the second frame. Sharkey finished up her hat trick with assists from freshman midfielder Teresa Benvenuti and junior back Amanda Bird, and Katie Reinprecht notched an unassisted score as well.

Junior goalkeeper Christina Maida posted her second consecutive shutout with five saves. Lafayette led Princeton in penalty corners, 6-4, but the Tigers outshot the Leopards 18-7.

The Tigers will now face No. 15 Drexel at the University of Virginia’s University Hall Turf Field. The Dragons (15-6) finished tied for second in the Colonial Athletic Association and won their conference tournament.

Drexel has had a very tough schedule, with eight ranked opponents, and has fared well, going 6-3 against those opponents — the Dragons have played No. 10 Northwestern twice — including a season opening win over then No. 5 Duke.

Midfielders Lindsay McArdle and Amanda Fleischut lead Drexel in scoring with 12 goals and three assists 11 goals and eight assists, respectively. However, the Tigers’ defense should be able to handle the Dragons’ attack, as Princeton has the nation’s lowest goals-against average, with 0.94.

If the Tigers emerge victorious on Saturday, they will draw either No. 7 Virginia or No. 14 Iowa on Sunday in Charlottesville.