Field hockey splits weekend games with Connecticut, Boston

Ilvy Friebe is the field hockey team's Barry Bonds. Opposing teams know that she is a threat and do all they can to stop her — at times assigning two or three defenders to guard her. But, like Barry Bonds, Friebe always seems to find a way to hurt opposing teams.

This weekend in Storrs, Conn., Friebe scored the game-winner — an unassisted goal in the second overtime period to defeat Connecticut by the score of 4-3.

Saturday, Princeton first matched up against a red-hot UConn team, who had built up a seven game win streak coming into the match. The Huskies had shut out their past four opponents, and had overcome No. 14 ranked Boston College, 1-0, in overtime just three days before.

From the outset, it seemed that the Tigers had a slight advantage, as they were able to keep on the offensive, taking more shots and earning more penalty corners than the Huskies. The early 0-0 score, however, did not reflect that.

But with seven minutes left in the half, the Tigers struck first as senior defender Emily Townsend scored off a penalty corner, assisted by Friebe.

Townsend's goal would be the only one of the first half, as both teams struggled to break through the opposing defense.

Just five minutes into the second half, the Huskies evened the game at one as Kelly Cochrane scored.

The Tigers continued to pour on the offense, scoring just three minutes later on sophomore attack Ashley Sennett's goal. Junior midfielder Claire Miller made the score 3-1 when she scored with 16 minutes left in the game.

UConn, however, refused to give up. With 10 minutes left to play, a blocked shot off of senior goalkeeper Kelly Baril was then pushed into the goal by a UConn forward to make it a one goal game.

Four minutes later, Cochrane struck again, tying the score at 3-3 off a penalty stroke. The game remained tied at the end of regulation play, forcing an overtime period.

The Huskies, looking for their second overtime win in two games, came out strong in the first overtime period, taking three shots compared to Princeton's two.

One of UConn's shots came dangerously close to ending the game. Husky Mary Jo Malone stroked the ball past Baril, but the ball rebounded off the goalpost. On the other side, one of the Tigers' shots was put past the UConn goalie, only to be stopped by a defenseman just out in front of the goal.

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In the second overtime period, Friebe took matters into her own hands, as she scored on a breakaway, firing the ball past UConn goalie Maureen Butler from seven yards out.

Butler had a big game for the Huskies, recording 14 saves on the day.

But there was just nothing she could do about Friebe's breakaway shot.

The Tigers did not fare as well in Sunday's matchup with Boston University.

Despite enjoying a huge statistical advantage — outshooting the Terriers 27-5 and outcornering them 14-4 — Princeton was shutout, 2-0.

This was the third shutout of the season for Boston goalkeeper Susan Harrington.

The Tigers, now 6-5 overall and 3-0 in the Ivy League, return to Ancient Eight play this week. The Brown Bears will visit Princeton on Saturday, as the Tigers try to protect their undefeated record against Ivy opponents.