As we near the midpoint of the women's hockey season, it seems only natural to reflect on the first half highlights and look forward to what lies ahead.
The year started off on a tough note for the Tigers (7-3-2, 3-2-0 Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference — North), as the team lost three of its first four games out of the blocks. After splitting its first two games with then-No. 10 ranked Mercyhurst, Princeton lost its next two to now No. 3 St. Lawrence.
Since those opening matches, however, the Tigers have rebounded strongly, going 6-0-2 in their last eight games. While the whole team has elevated its play in recent weeks, it is important to recognize a few individuals for their superior play. Here are the first half awards:
Offensive Player of the Year: Gretchen Anderson
The sophomore forward not only leads the team in points, but she has come through for Princeton in the clutch. Anderson has nine goals and four assists on the season, including the two goals she scored in a recent matchup against Colgate.
Anderson's crowning moment of the first half came in the Tigers' biggestgame. She scored the lone and game-winning goal in overtime against then-No. 5 New Hampshire, giving Princeton a 1-0 victory.
Defensive Player of the Year: Aviva Grumet-Morris
The senior captain has anchored the defense throughout the year. Her leadership and playmaking ability on the ice have opened up offensive opportunities for her teammates. Grumet-Morris is second on the team with five assists and has recorded seven points. In recent weeks, she has elevated her play on offense, tallying three points in the Tigers' win over Cornell two weeks ago.
Rookie of the Year: Katherine Maglione
The freshman defenseman was thrown into the fire at the beginning of the season. With only four defenders in the regular rotation, Maglione was called on to step up and play an important role. She has responded with solid, consistent play.
Skating with composure beyond her years, Maglione demonstrated in the first half why head coach Jeff Kampersal '92 was so excited to have this "tough kid" on his team. She is tied for the freshman lead in points with a goal and an assist.
Most Valuable Player: Sarah Ahlquist and Megan Van Beusekom (tie)
The team's two netminders have split time pretty evenly in the first half, and both have been major reasons for the Tigers' success. Ahlquist, a junior, has played in seven games and allowed 13 goals. She has a .919 save percentage and has recorded one shutout.
Van Beusekom, a sophomore, has started five games, allowing only 1.38 goals per contest. Her .942 save percentage is among the Division I leaders. Van Beusekom recorded two shutouts in her five games, and no game was bigger for her or the team than the shutout victory against New Hampshire. For her effort that week, Beusekom was named ECAC Goalie of the Week.
Coach of the Year: Jeff Kampersal '92
Being the only head coach, Kampersal did not have much competition in this category. However, he should be commended for the work he has put in and the progress his team has made. Coming into the season, Princeton's main concerns were stamina and lack of depth. Kampersal has his players in superb physical condition, and the hard work is paying off.
Looking forward, the Tigers won't have an easy homestretch, as they play Brown and Dartmouth twice each. This weekend, the squad travels to Columbus for two games against Ohio State. Then, after a two-week layoff, the team heads north to take on Vermont and Dartmouth before hosting Harvard and Brown on Jan. 11 and Jan. 12.
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