Freshman Anderson leads women's hockey to three key wins

After scoring only two goals in the first 13 games of the women's ice hockey team's season, forward Gretchen Anderson finally found her scoring touch. The freshman scored seven goals in four games, helping Princeton to a 3-1 record during the break and possibly changing the direction of the Tigers' season.

"She's getting better and better," head coach Jeff Kampersal '92 said. "She needs some conditioning work, but we knew she can stickhandle a puck and shoot to score."

Princeton's (7-7-3 overall, 3-7-3 Eastern College Athletic Conference) problems this season have been in the goal-scoring department, so Anderson's emergence takes on additional importance. She has been playing on a line centered by junior captain Andrea Kilbourne, with senior assistant captain Abbey Fox at the other forward.

"Kilbourne and Abbey have really got her going," Kampersal said. The most crucial game over break came on Sunday, when Anderson scored twice late in the final period to lift the Tigers to a 4-3 win at ECAC rival Maine. The freshman also added an assist for Princeton on the Tigers' first score, netted by Kilbourne just two minutes, 12 seconds into the game. Fox also was credited with an assist on the power-play goal.

After Princeton's early goal, Maine scored three of the next four, with a goal by junior forward Jessica Fedderly keeping Princeton in the game. Sophomore goaltender Sarah Ahlquist had 23 saves, giving the top line the chance to bring the Tigers back late in the game.

On the power play, with 12:49 to go, Anderson netted her first goal of the game, with Kilbourne and senior defender Laura Hays assisting. Fewer than two minutes later, Anderson struck again, with Kilbourne contributing another assist. Junior defender Aviva Grumet-Morris also picked up a point on the game-winning goal.

Princeton's win over Maine was crucial because the Tigers fell to No. 10 UNH, 4-3, on Saturday. Princeton jumped out to a 3-0 lead against the Wildcats in the second period and held a 3-1 advantage going into the final frame. But UNH scored three goals on just six shots, negating another stellar performance by Anderson, who had two goals. The freshman totaled five points on the weekend. Kilbourne had a goal and an assist, and Fox added two assists for the Tigers.

"Against UNH, we played well for 30 minutes," Kampersal said, "and then we let it slip away. We played not to lose instead of playing to win."

Princeton also played Mercy-hurst, in Erie, Pa., earlier in the break. The Tigers swept a two-game series against the Lakers, beating Mercyhurst, 3-1, Dec. 29, and again the next day by a 5-2 margin.

"We were feisty and tough against Mercyhurst," Kampersal said. "There was a scrum at the end of the second game, and it's good we showed some passion."

In the first game, Anderson notched two goals, doubling her production to date, while Kilbourne picked up three points on a goal and two assists. Fox had two assists, and Ahlquist was strong in the net, recording 21 saves on 22 shots on goal.

The next day, freshman defender Angela Gooldy had two goals, while Kilbourne had a goal and an assist. Anderson also netted a goal. The freshman scored at least one goal in every game during the break that counted toward standings.

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The Tigers also played an exhibition against the U.S. National Team, which includes former Princeton standout Annamarie Holmes '01, and fell 10-0 in Lake Placid, N.Y.

Princeton's 3-1 record during break and the emergence of a scoring threat in Anderson, who won back-to-back Ivy League Rookie of the Week honors, bode well for the remainder of the season.