Colgate, Cornell invade Baker Rink

Usually, Tigers run down their prey. These Tigers, however, like to skate them down.

The women's hockey team (5-3-2 overall, 2-1-1 Eastern College Athletic Conference Hockey League), ranked No. 6 nationally, looks to keep its momentum rolling when Cornell (2-6-0, 0-4-0) and Colgate (7-4-2, 4-0-0) visit Baker Rink this weekend.

The team is fresh off Thanksgiving break, during which the Tigers learned to be thankful for one of the newest Princeton players — freshman forward Annie Greenwood, who earned this week's ECACHL Rookie of the Week honors. Instead of busying themselves with turkey and stuffing, the Tigers were at Baker Rink defending its home ice against seventh-ranked Mercyhurst (7-6-0, 2-0-0 College Hockey America) and ended up splitting the weekend series.

Though the Tigers have finally finished their stretch of eight straight games against ranked opponents, during which Princeton compiled a 4-3-1 record, it is certainly no time to let up on the gas pedal.

The Tigers hope to meet the Big Red with a cold reception Friday night at 7 p.m. when Cornell comes to Baker Rink.

The Big Red has struggled this season, with only two victories under its belt, neither of which have come against conference opponents.

Princeton must be careful not to look past this contest, though, as Cornell will be looking to upset its Ivy League rival and jumpstart its season.

The Big Red has played poor defense en route to its losing record, giving up at least three goals in every game it has played this season except one. Cornell recently split two weekend series with non-conference opponents Wayne State and Niagara.

The Big Red has generally tried to compensate for its poor defense with a potent attack. As the season record shows, Cornell's success depends primarily on offense. Fortunately for the Tigers, strong defense and goaltending has been their calling card.

Multifaceted threat

After the match against the Big Red, Princeton will take on a red-hot Colgate team. Since an 0-2-2 start, the Raiders have gone 7-2 and have won six of their past eight. Though Colgate is not ranked in the polls, it is certainly a dangerous opponent now that its potent offense has found its groove.

"Colgate's top line can be really dominating," head coach Jeff Kampersal '92 said.

When the fact that the Raider defense has allowed opponents a limited number of scoring opportunities is added to the mix, the threat Colgate poses is magnified. In its last six games, the Raiders have given up more than one goal only once.

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Though the Tigers are playing their first non-ranked opponents, the weekend's matches will certainly be challenging, with the Big Red hungry for a conference victory and Colgate looking to keep its furious pace going.

Princeton is on a roll of its own, however, coming off an impressive stretch against the nation's best. The Tigers managed a hard-fought tie against St. Lawrence, which remains first in the national polls with 12 victories, no losses and only two ties. Princeton has relied on excellent play from senior goaltender Roxanne Gaudiel, strong all-around defense and some clutch goal scoring, especially by junior forward Kim Pearce.

Above all, the Tigers have won their games on the strength of a tenacious, confident and mentally strong attitude. Princeton has had many of its games decided by one goal.

In its upcoming games, the team will have to bring its best defense in a classic matchup of fire and ice — a matchup the Tigers are confident will end with their opponents stopped cold.