Eight field hockey seniors seek fourth career league title

When a team consistently achieves tremendous success it is almost certain that their successes will be met with even loftier expectations for the upcoming season. After coming off of a year that featured a ninth straight Ivy League title, an NCAA tournament berth, and an extension of a five-year unbeaten streak in league play, the expectations for the field hockey team (0-2 overall) have never been greater. But few teams are as well-equipped and motivated to match and exceed these expectations than this year's team.

If it is possible for a team to create an "ideal" roster, Princeton might very well have accomplished that feat. The team put together by head coach Kristen Holmes-Winn is a superbly balanced blend of experience and enthusiasm, offense and defense, and raw athleticism and polished skill.

The roster is anchored by a core of eight seniors, which is a particularly influential presence on a 19-person roster. These senior returnees include captains Natalie Martirosian and Shahrzad Joharifard. Martirosian, a midfielder, is a two-time first-team All America and arguably one of the best players in nation. Last year the Richmond, Va., native led the Tigers in assists, with seven.

Martirosian is joined by veteran midfielder Joharifard. Due to a lingering knee injury, however, Joharifard's contributions might be limited to sound advice and coaching for much of the season.

In addition to the two captains, the team will be buoyed by the return of senior defense Lizzie Black. led the team in both goals, with eight, and points. Her keen eye for quick counterattacks earned her a position on the second-team All-Ivy squad.

Bridging the gap between the senior core and new crop of freshmen is a mix of returning juniors and sophomores. Junior midfielder Maren Ford matched Black's mark of eight goals, a feat made even more impressive by the fact that she took only 19 shots.

Also returning are sophomore goalkeepers Allison Nemeth and Juliana Simon. Nemeth was the featured goalie for much of last season, during which she accumulated an impressive list of accolades. She finished her rookie season with a 1.47 goals-against average, which put her among the best in the nation. Nemeth was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Year last season.

Simon, when given the opportunity, had several impressive performances last season, particularly against top opponents. The two goalies will be able to play off of each other's strengths, making for a solid backstop for the Tigers no matter who is in.

What has Tiger fans most excited is the strength of the incoming class. The five freshmen will play a pivotal role in any of the team's successes.

Two of the new Tigers, Nicole Ng and Paige Schmidt, have experience playing on the Under-19 U.S. National Team. The remaining three freshmen — Courtney Devlin, Micaela Vie Brock, and Sarah Yuki — all arrive with impressive high school resumés, including countless regional and divisional accolades.

The team hopes that this is the right combination to extend its divisional winning streak to 32 games this Saturday in their first divisional matchup against Yale. The last time the two teams met, the Tigers edged the Elis, 5–4, in an exciting overtime match.

To retain the Ivy title the Tigers will have to stave off attacks from perennial rivals Harvard and Yale. But it looks like the pieces are in place for another successful season.