Field hockey loses to No. 1 Maryland, comes back to beat Old Dominion

At the beginning of the season, the field hockey team is concentrating on winning the Ivy League championship and making a run at the national title. While this weekend's games had no direct effect on the Ivies, the Tigers established themselves as contenders for the national crown.

Despite a concerted effort, the field hockey team failed to defeat the top-ranked Terrapins on Friday, losing 3-1. Playing at Maryland, Princeton found itself the victim of many of the same skills the Tigers themselves have been trying to perfect.

Princeton utilized much of what it had learned from Maryland on Sunday, when it outmatched defending champion Old Dominion 2-1.

The Terrapins went up 2-0 at the half on the strength of two goals by junior Carissa Mossimer and senior Megan Kelly. Maryland then seized a 3-0 advantage nearly an hour into the game due to a skillful play by freshman Colleen Barbieri. Princeton managed to score their single goal of the night eight minutes later when junior Ilvy Friebe brought the game to its final score.

Although the Tigers were defeated, they remained upbeat about their chances against no. 3 ranked Old Dominion on Sunday.

"The Maryland game brought us to a high level. Watching them, we realized what we have to do to be an elite team." junior defender Beckie Wood said.

Using a "chip-away" attack against the higher ranked team, the Tigers effectively controlled the ball and won against the Lady Monarchs.

Freshman Ashley Sennett opened the scoring for Princeton at the very end of the first half. Sennett was assisted by Ilvy Friebe, the top goal scorer in the nation and the Tigers' main offensive threat.

Old Dominion took a set of penalty shots in the waning minutes of half, but a strong defensive showing by the Tigers prevented any goals.defense. Senior co-captain and goalie Kelly Baril made several kick-saves.

A few minutes after halftime, however, the game was leveled by Old Dominion's Julie Miracle. Miracle shot the ball into the right side of the goal off a penalty play.

Rachel Becker scored the deciding goal later on in the half less than a minute later, and the Tigers played a ball-control strategy to run out the clock and hold on for the win.

Princeton dominated for much of the game, keeping the ball on the Old Dominion side of the field for almost the entire second half, though they were unable to score again.

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"[Beating Old Dominion] was a big win, and it definitely boosts our confidence," junior defender Emily Townsend said. "Today we played amazingly, and it was really rewarding, because we prepared a lot."

This last weekend will likely be the biggest in the Tigers' schedule until the NCAA tourney in November. For much of the rest of the season Princeton will concentrate on winning its eighth straight Ivy League title with key games against talented Harvard and Brown programs.

When the NCAA tourney does come, Princeton can expect to see both of the teams it played this weekend again. The Tigers were defeated in last year's tournament by Maryland, and they hope to use the two games this weekend as preparation for when it really matters.

"We had a serious chance to beat both of them," Townsend said. "I don't think any other Ivy could have played as well against two teams like that."

The Old Dominion especially helps the Tigers in the national rankings, which determine who receives early home games in the NCAA tournament.

Princeton can expect to move up from No. 5, as Old Dominion falls, making their preseason goal of finishing in the top five that much more possible.

The Tigers are not content to rest on their laurels, however, and are busy preparing for their next game this Wednesday against Rutgers.

"We're really excited about where we are right now," Wood said. "We played well as individuals, and the team as a whole executed. Tell everyone to come to the Rutgers game!"

Go to the Rutgers game.