After slipping in their non-conference schedule, field hockey knew they would have to win the Ivy League title to ensure they would qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
It's hard to lose a title with a 7-0 conference record.
Princeton (11-6 overall, 7-0 Ivy League) swept through their conference foes and now looks ahead to their NCAA first round match, Saturday, against Michigan (18-3) at Penn State. This is the Tigers' eighth appearance in the national playoffs in the last nine years, but they still seek their first title.
The Tigers and the Wolverines will meet for just the second time in history. Their previous meeting was last year when Michigan topped Princeton 4-2 in the national semifinals and went on to claim field hockey's ultimate prize.
Princeton, which peaked at ninth in the final National Field Hockey Coaches' Association poll, has had a two-faced season — dominating its Ivy League competition but going just 4-6 outside the Ancient Eight. The Tigers outscored Ivy opponents 43-6 this season on the way to an undefeated run, finishing one game and 20 goals better than second-place Harvard (12-5, 6-1), which received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.
But Princeton will not be playing the Browns and Columbias of the field hockey world anymore. Their sub-par non-conference record leaves room for doubt. The Tigers are outscoring non-Ivy teams 30-23, but that stat is slightly distorted thanks to a 10-1 drubbing of Rutgers and a 5-1 victory over Delaware.
Against NCAA Tournament teams, Princeton is an alarming 2-4, with 2-1 losses to Maryland (16-4) and Michigan State (21-2), 4-1 and 3-2 losses to Old Dominion (19-3), a 4-3 overtime win over Connecticut (15-7), and a 4-1 win over Harvard.
Head coach Beth Bozman fights through a difficult non-conference schedule every year with her team, preparing for the intensity of the NCAA Tournament. This year, however, it may take more than experience to pull the Tigers through to the later rounds. Princeton has one of the most dominating offensive weapons in the country in senior attack Ilvy Friebe, who is tied for third in the nation with 23 goals and is fourth with 57 total points.
After Friebe, the Tigers spread the scoring around. Eleven other players have scored goals this season, but only sophomore midfield Natalie Martirosian joined Friebe in double figures, scoring 11 times.
In the net, senior Kelly Baril has been a force for a Tiger defense that has not allowed more than four goals in a game this season. She started all 16 regular season games and stopped 69 of 98 shots for a 1.78 goals against average.
The fourth-ranked Wolverines, however, have the firepower to end Princeton's run. A trio of elite scorers has led the way for Michigan. April Fransoni (18 goals), Molly Powers (15), and Stephanie Johnson (13) have eaten up opposing defenses and made it difficult to decide whom to stop first. They have accounted for 68% of Michigan's total goalscoring production this season.
Molly Maloney has been the one and only goaltender for the Wolverines this season, starting and completing all 21 of their games while stopping 53 of 77 shots for a microscopic 1.03 GAA.
Another interesting Michigan statistic is where it wins its games. The squad is 10-0 at home, 5-0 on the road, but only 3-3 at neutral sites — tomorrow's game will be at neutral site Maryland. The victor of this match-up will take on the winner of the Saturday afternoon game between Penn State (16-4) and Kent State (16-6) game.
The winner of that game will advance to the Final Four, where teams named Maryland, Old Dominion, and Michigan State could likely be waiting — teams Princeton is 0-4 against this season.
But those four losses don't matter now. The Tigers have played the best squads in the country, and they would love a rematch. After all, four more wins and Princeton will be the national champions.
Also in the tournament are Wake Forest, Richmond, California, Northeastern, Connecticut, Duke, James Madison, and William and Mary.
Read More
Women’s ice hockey names Courtney Kessel as new head coach
Lily PampolinaFollowing the resignation of Cara Gardner Morey, Princeton appointed Courtney Kessel as head coach.
Following the resignation of Cara Gardner Morey, Princeton appointed Courtney Kessel as head coach.
Former women’s basketball forward Parker Hill ’25 signs professional contract in Switzerland
Doug SchwartzAfter a successful senior season, women's basketball forward Parker Hill signed a contact to play professional basketball in Europe, following in the steps of her past teammates.
After a successful senior season, women's basketball forward Parker Hill signed a contact to play professional basketball in Europe, following in the steps of her past teammates.
No. 7 women’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals against No. 1 UNC
Hayk YengibaryanWith the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
With the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.