If history repeats itself this weekend, the field hockey team (5-1 overall, 3-0 Ivy League) which travels to Norfolk, Va., to take on North Carolina and Old Dominion , is in for a challenge. In order to sweep the weekend, the Tigers must first put the past behind them and make their disappointing 2-0 loss to Maryland earlier this season a distant memory.
"The team looks good," junior defender Aviva Meer-schwam said. "Up until now we have had games in which we played really well as well as games in which we didn't play well. I think everyone realizes that we are going to have to play our best this weekend in order to make it successful."
In last year's battle with the Lady Monarchs, the Tigers got off to a strong start, dominating the first quarter. Princeton was unable to keep the momentum going, however, as it let a 2-0 lead turn into a six-goal deficit, losing, 8-2. The Tigers do not plan on running out of steam this time around.
"All of a sudden we collapsed and they scored eight goals on us," Meerschwam said. "A collapse is something that we have to try to avoid this weekend."
Tradition
Princeton and Old Dominion have quite a history, the culmination of which was the 1998 NCAA Championship game. The Tigers fell to the Lady Monarchs in a heartbreaking 3-1 loss that they have yet to avenge.
"There is definitely a rivalry between us and Old Dominion," senior captain and attack Hilary Matson said. "In the past years we've played some big games, and it's just a matter of us being able to stay strong."
1998 was also the first time ever that the squad beat North Carolina. Although it's been two years since the two teams were on the same field, the Tigers feel psyched to take on the Tar Heels.
The No. 8 Tigers will be relying on their veterans as well as their newcomers to turn out good performances this weekend. Matson and freshman attack Claire Miller, currently leading the team with six and four goals, respectively, will be key factors for the Tiger offense.
Riding a wave
When it comes to stopping Lady Monarch midfielder Maria DiGiacomo from racking up goals, Princeton will look to two sophomores, defender Emily Townsend and goalie Kelly Baril, who have helped Princeton keep all but two shots out of the net so far this season.
"We are a completely different team this year. We have improved greatly," Matson said. "Old Dominion is a great team and UNC is solid all around. We just have to rebound from our loss to Maryland."
After trampling No. 11 Northeastern, 8-0, last weekend, the No. 2 Lady Monarchs will be arriving in Norfolk a very confident team. The only loss Old Dominion has suffered this season has been against Maryland — a game that eventually became a test of endurance. The Lady Monarchs were unable to outlast the Terrapins, who came out on top with a 5-4 double-overtime victory. Now 11-1 on the season, Old Dominion will definitely be a challenge for the Tigers.
No. 3 UNC will also be riding high after its solid victories over Wake Forest and Duke. Boasting a 10-1 record, with its only loss to Old Dominion earlier this season, the Tar Heels are expected to put up a good fight.
"We have a tendency to be nervous before big games but that doesn't always make things worse for us," Meerschwam said. "I think we do tend to play pretty well against good teams. It is just a matter of going hard from the start and then keeping our heads in the game. We don't have any time to drift off; we have to go hard and stay focused for 70 minutes."
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