Field Hockey loses two All-Americans, gains 10 freshmen

The field hockey team is starting nearly from scratch this year. Its eight seniors from last year, including two All-Americans, are gone. In their stead are 10 freshmen — comprising nearly half the team. Five of them have already won starting jobs.

But setting this enormous freshman class apart from others in recent memory is what they will be playing for. Eleven years ago, in 1994, the entering freshmen class was playing to win an Ivy League title. They succeeded, and since then, each entering class has defended that crown — until 2005. Like the freshman in '94, this team will play without the luxury of already being on top. The players are starting from scratch.

Head coach Kristen Holmes-Winn doesn't think the lack of experience will get in the way too much.

"They play with so much heart," she said, "that it makes up for some of the skill decisions they might make."

The 11 returning players are fueled by the heartbreaking loss to Dartmouth in Class of 1952 Stadium last year that cost them the Ivy League crown.

"That feeling [of disappointment after losing to Dartmouth] really did propel us through the spring," Holmes-Winn said. "It made us a bit more hungry."

Not necessarily rebuilding

With the freshmen entering the season so fit and prepared, Holmes-Winn is not necessarily thinking "rebuild."

"They learned the system pretty quickly," she said. "I've got a team of very passionate young women who love the game."

Moreover, Princeton still has several key veterans on the roster. Senior midfielder Maren Ford is the Tigers' top player entering this season and will likely lead in the stat columns, and fellow senior attack Lauren Ehrlichman showed great talent and promise at the U.S. national program over the summer. Add in senior midfielder Hillary Schmidt, and Princeton will have ample experience on offense, a side of the field Holmes-Winn likes to exploit.

Still, four games into the season, the Tigers have already dropped three games. So far the offense has put up 58 shots on goal, while the defense has allowed only 45. Even though opponents have scored more efficiently, the Tigers have put themselves into the positions they want.

"I feel very confident in our defenders. They've played remarkably in the last four games," Holmes-Winn said.

Surprisngly, the problem early on for Princeton has been goaltending — the one place the Tigers don't suffer from a lack of experience. Junior goaltender Juiliana Simon started the first ten games last season, while letting up 2.45 goals a game. Simon had excellent performances in a defensive battle against No.19 Penn State and recorded a shutout against Yale. She worked the team's lone win against Yale this season and has a .625 save percentage so far.

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Also seeing action in goal this year is junior Allison Nemeth. She started the last seven games last year, giving up only 1.92 goals per game. In her 105 minutes in goal this year, she has made five saves.

"Our goalkeepers have to step up. In terms of save percentage, it hasn't been as strong [as the other positions]," Holmes-Winn said.

For now the Tigers are focused on Dartmouth, which happens to not only be the object of Princeton's desire for revenge, but also the next game on the schedule. Last year, Princeton lost to the Big Green for the first time since 1989 despite dominating in nearly every category, including 19 shots on goal. It's a stat Holmes-Winn recalls in an instant, with a slight hint of bitterness and clear desire for vengeance.

Last year, the final score was 3-1. When the Tigers take the field against the Dartmouth this year, the score will be 0-0 again. They get to start from scratch.