In Baker Rink this weekend it was business as usual for the women's hockey team – one win, one loss.
Princeton's weekend was quite familiar as the Tigers were plagued with slow starts and failed scoring opportunities early in each of the games.
After being shut out once more against Dartmouth, 3-0 Saturday, Princeton (11-12-1 overall, 8-10 Eastern College Athletic Conference,) turned it around Sunday and handed Boston College (8-19-1, 3-14-1) another loss, 6-4.
Trouble at the start
In the first period Saturday both teams were held scoreless – Dartmouth (17-7-1, 14-3-1) with only six shots on goal and Princeton with a mere two shots.
In addition, the Tigers had trouble clearing the puck from their defensive end, allowing the Big Green ample scoring opportunities.
"The first period we just didn't show up to play," junior center Ali Coughlin said.
"We came out really flat in the first period," sophomore center Danya Marshman said. "It's a motivation problem."
Dartmouth, currently in third place in the ECAC, quickly picked up the slack as Lauren Trottier and Carrie Sekela each scored a goal in the second period to give Dartmouth a 2-0 lead.
Refreshed
In the second period, Princeton also picked up its offensive intensity after an unsuccessful first 20 minutes. Shots on goal increased to six each period for the last two periods, and the defense was more successful in stopping Dartmouth at the blue line.
"Second period we came out really hard and picked up the pace," Marshman said. "We kept working the puck – it just wasn't going in the net for us."
In the third period Dartmouth proved why it is among the best in the league, intensely pressuring senior goalie Tammy Orlow. At the end of the game, the Big Green had pounded the net with 29 shots, more than doubling the Tigers' 14.
Sunday played host to a fastpaced and physical contest as visiting Boston College eagerly looked to avenge its previous loss to the Tigers.
"We should have put them out in the first 20 minutes," Marshman said.
But they didn't.
Princeton scored only one goal in the first period, tallying only five shots. In contrast, the defense allowed Boston College 13 shots, resulting in three of the four goals the Eagles had in the game. Two goals scored by the Eagles were within just seconds of each other, at 6:29 and 6:52, respectively.
Down 3-1, it appeared that Saturday's result could very well repeat itself.
"We just took them for granted and didn't have all of the passion (in the first period)," Coughlin said.
The Tigers rallied their offense in the second period and started on an offensive run that would eventually result in hat tricks for both Coughlin and freshman center Annamarie Holmes. Holmes has proved herself a vital asset to the offense since head coach Jeff Kampersal '92 moved her from defense earlier this season.
One notch up
"In any group you need one or two players to step up," Coughlin said.
Holmes has done just that – again.
The Tigers' offensive success was keyed by two power-play goals. On the day Princeton went two of four on the power play, while scoreless on three opportunities.
In the second and third periods, the Tigers held Boston College to only one additional goal as Orlow had another good showing between the pipes. Princeton capped its offensive run when Coughlin fired a shot the length of the ice into Dartmouth's empty net to seal the victory.
Read More
Women’s tennis claims Ivy League title in comeback thriller over Harvard
Josefina GurevichAfter a commanding win over Dartmouth gave women’s tennis the opportunity to play Harvard for the championship, they rallied from match deficits and an overall 3-1 Crimson lead to clinch the Ivy title and their fifth-straight trip to the NCAA tournament.
After a commanding win over Dartmouth gave women’s tennis the opportunity to play Harvard for the championship, they rallied from match deficits and an overall 3-1 Crimson lead to clinch the Ivy title and their fifth-straight trip to the NCAA tournament.
Princeton softball stands atop the Ivy League standings after defeating Yale
Dalynn HoltzclawThe Tigers sit two games ahead of second place and are on an eight-game winning streak. Should they finish as the No. 1 seed next weekend, they will host the Ivy League tournament.
The Tigers sit two games ahead of second place and are on an eight-game winning streak. Should they finish as the No. 1 seed next weekend, they will host the Ivy League tournament.
Princeton Men’s golf falls just short in Ivy League Championships
Matthew YiDespite coming close, a tough round three and poor weather conditions led to the Tigers losing to Yale in the men's Ivy League Golf Championships.
Despite coming close, a tough round three and poor weather conditions led to the Tigers losing out to Yale in the men's Ivy League Golf Championships.
