The field hockey team, currently 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the Ivy League, has definitely been the class of the conference to date this season. The Tigers, ranked No. 8 nationally in the most recent polls, seem to have the personnel on both sides of the ball so as not to depend on either the attack or the defense. What's gone right for Princeton this season?
Most Valuable Player — Senior attack Hilary Matson. There is no question that Matson has been the Tigers' brightest-shining star in a constellation of top performers. The attack has used her remarkable speed to lead the team in both goals (6) and assists (6).
But head coach Beth Bozman claims that most of the senior's plays don't even show up in the statistics. Furthermore, Matson's leadership and experience is invaluable for a squad that simply lacks large numbers of seasoned veterans who have played the long, tough Princeton schedule.
Best Newcomer — Freshman attack Claire Miller — another easy choice for an award. Miller's four scores — including two against Drexel in just her second game in a Tiger uniform — have earned her second place on the team in goals. The attack always seems to be lurking near the opponent's net, looking for an opportunity to strike.
Top Defender — Sophomore Emily Townsend. Princeton's best defender on the attack, Townsend also has helped the Tigers shut down nearly every opponent. No team has scored more than two goals on Princeton, and Townsend is one of the primary reasons for the stingy defense.
Best Game — On Sept. 23, the Tigers blanked Dartmouth 5-0 at 1952 Stadium. Matson scored a hat trick in about two minutes of the second half and added an assist to lead Princeton past the previously undefeated Big Green. The Tigers were coming off of their worst outing of the season, an ugly 3-1 win over Columbia, but regained their confidence by thrashing Dartmouth. Miller scored the first goal of the contest with just one minute, 18 seconds remaining the first half, and senior attack Melanie Meerschwam added three assists. Princeton outshot the Big Green, 22-5, and completely shut down Dartmouth attack Lauren Welsh, who had won back-to-back overtime games for the Big Green with sudden-death goals. If it weren't for the netminding of Dartmouth goalie Brittany D'Augustine, the Tigers might have scored several more times.
Honorable Mention — Meerschwam and sophomore goaltender Kelly Baril. Meerschwam's stickwork and able passing in the opponent's end of the field has set up several of Princeton's goals.
Baril was hardly tested until Friday's matchup with No. 1 Maryland, but the sophomore passed her first test with superb marks. The Terrapins had four of the nation's top 10 scorers, but Baril and the Tiger defense held Maryland to just two goals. The goalie had 14 saves in the game — many of them spectacular plays to deny sure goals.
Princeton was scheduled to play in-state rival Rutgers in Piscataway last night, but the game was postponed because of lightning. A makeup date has not been announced, so the Tigers' next action will be Saturday and Sunday in Norfolk, Va., against North Carolina and Old Dominon, respectively. The Tar Heels are No. 2 in the nation, while the Monarchs are No. 3 — so the Tigers will have to prove that they are as good as they have looked so far.
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