Tigers win first Ivy title since '95, ECACs are next

Someone ought to turn this into a Hollywood movie. The women's hockey team ended its season on Senior Night with a 3-0 victory over Yale this past Saturday, claiming the Ivy League crown. The game featured outstanding performances by departing the seniors, as forward Heather Jackson scored two of the Tigers' three goals and goaltender Roxanne Gaudiel closed an outstanding career with a shutout.

The Bulldogs have been a bothersome team for Princeton (18-6-4 overall, 7-2-1 Eastern College Athletic Conference Hockey League) in recent head-to-head play — the team's record against Yale (11-13-5, 5-3-2) was 0-4-1 in the their past five games, and the title-clinching win was made sweeter as it came on senior night.

Before the game, Jackson and Gaudiel — along with forwards Sarah Butsch, Tarah Clark, and defenseman Chrissie Norwich — were introduced to thunderous applause as they were thanked for their dedication, exceptional teamwork and toughness. These sentiments were echoed by head coach Jeff Kampersal '92 after the game.

"It was a fitting way for [them] to go out. They are such hard workers and class acts, it's a pleasure to coach them," he said.

The game, which was tightly contested until the third period, began as a defensive struggle with an outstanding play by junior defenseman Laura Watt that prevented a possible goal by Yale's Jenna Spring. Later, the Bulldogs would return the favor by denying Jackson, whose shot went wide of the net on a breakaway opportunity.

Shortly after that play, Princeton was able to get on the board on sophomore forward Sonja Novak's first goal of the season, a backhand shot on the goalie's blindside that came off of an excellent pass by Clark. Following Novak's goal, the game clearly slowed down, with the Tigers' offense getting fewer shots on goal and playing a more defensive game.

Neither side scored in the second period, and the two teams entered the third with Princeton holding a razor-thin 1-0 margin. In the final frame, however, everything seemed to go right for the Tigers. Within a stretch of roughly two minutes, Jackson scored twice from close range, bringing the crowd to its feet. The goals were Jackson's sixth and seventh of the year and couldn't have come at a better time.

Facing such an imposing deficit, the Bulldogs struggled in the final minutes to attack Gaudiel — often playing without a goalie in an attempt to overmatch Princeton by sheer strength of numbers. But Gaudiel held strong and showed why she has started virtually all of the Tigers' games, ending the contest with 20 saves. Gaudiel led all Ivy League goalies this year in save percentage and minutes played, and arguably was the team's most valuable player.

Princeton's victory over Yale came on the heels of a 3-2 defeat of Brown the previous night. The final score actually makes the game seem closer than it was; the Bears (12-12-5, 4-3-3) scored their last goal with eight seconds to play.

The Tigers played an outstanding game by dominating the puck. Princeton fired 26 shots on goal compared to Brown's meager 14, and at times it seemed as if the puck hardly ever slid across the red line onto Princeton's half of the ice. Gaudiel only recorded 12 saves in what turned out to be an easy night of work—one which allowed her to save her strength for the next day's matchup.

Seniors again played crucial roles. Butsch scored the game's first goal on an assist from sophomore forward Brittany Salmon. Salmon herself played a courageous game. She went down in the second period and appeared to be seriously hurt, laying on the ice for several minutes. However, she would later come back in the third period and play as if nothing had happened.

The Tigers scored consistently, with one goal in each period. Brown tied the game at 1-1 early in the second period, but sophomore forward Mary-Kate Oakley scored a goal to give Princeton the lead again. Later in the third, Watt shot a laser from the left side that skirted past the Bears' goalie for the Tigers' third and final goal.

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The score came off assists by Novak and defenseman Katherine Dineen, who as a freshman already has a loyal fan club that cheered her on throughout the game.

Although the team is sad to bid farewell to its seniors, Princeton remains optimistic. The Orange and Black host Colgate in the ECAC quarterfinals next weekend, in a best-of-three series with a berth in the semifinals on the line. Ultimately, the team could have a chance to send Gaudiel, Jackson, Clark, Butsch, and Norwich off in style in the ECAC championships. Though the regular season is over, these Tigers have not waved goodbye; they still have to write the perfect ending to their script.