Tigers fall in NCAA tourney

After receiving its first ever invitation, women's hockey saw its dance cut short in the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament as No. 6 Princeton (21-8-4 overall, 7-2-1 Ivy League) fell to two-time defending national champion No. 4 Minnesota (29-11-1), 4-0, on Friday, March 17.

The 2005-2006 season was the Tigers' best ever on the ice, as a combination of experienced veterans and talented young players put together a record 21 wins. The game was also the last for the strong squad of seniors, who led Princeton to victory all season and who graduated with the most wins, 77, of any class in university history.

"When you lose a game like this, the loss is not anything to be happy about," head coach Jeff Kampersal '92 said, "but when you lose [seniors] Heather Jackson, Chrissie Norwich, Sarah Butsch, Tara Clark, and Roxanne Gaudiel, that is really painful, it's all more than one loss right now."

Though the loss ended Princeton's season, overall the campaign was a resounding success. In addition to winning the most games in program history, the Tigers won the Ivy League and came in second during the regular season of the ECAC, despite losing to Brown in the semifinals of the ECAC tournament.

Being the newcomer facing the tournament's heavyweight, the Tigers fought the Golden Gophers to a standstill for nearly two periods of play. With both goalkeepers putting on an excellent show, it wasn't until there was one minute, 33 seconds left on the clock in the second period that the puck finally found nylon behind Princeton senior goalkeeper Roxanne Gaudiel.

Minnesota's Whitney Graft had gained control of the puck behind the Tigers' net when she saw Melanie Gagnon open at the high slot and set her up. Gagnon one-timed the pass into the five-hole for the only goal the Gophers would end up needing to seal the victory.

But Princeton was still very much in the game going into the third period only down a single goal. Minnesota, however, quickly diminished the dreams of a Tiger comeback.

In the beginning of the period Bobbi Ross won the opening faceoff for the Gophers and quickly fired off a shot, which was blocked by Gaudiel.

But Graft was in the right place at the right time and scored on the rebound just ten seconds into the period.

"There was definitely a shift in momentum especially after that second goal," senior defender Chrissie Norwich said. "Minnesota really started to take it to us, and we started to spend more time in our defensive zone. It really shifted the momentum of the game."

At 8:31 in the period, the Gophers struck again, this time on a 4 vs. 3 power play. Ashley Albrecht scored another rebound goal, with Jennelle Philipczyck and Andrea Nichols earning assists. Becky Wacker rounded out the scoring again on a rebound with just over 13 minutes having passed in the third period.

Although no other goals were scored, the game did not end without additional excitement. With 38 seconds left, a fight broke out between the two teams, resulting in 14 penalties being called. Sophomore forward Marykate Oakley and Minnesota's Allie Sanchez both were called for a game misconduct.

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The lack of offense in the game was a source of great frustration for the Tigers, who were also held scoreless in their loss to Brown during the ECAC semifinals.

"I thought this time our kids poured their heart and soul into trying to score but [it] didn't happen," Kampersal said, "so you have got to give credit to their goalie and their team."

Overall, Brittony Chartier had 34 saves in goal for the Gophers, including eight during Tiger power plays, earning the first shutout of this year's NCAA tournament. Gaudiel notched 30 saves for Princeton.