Fans love overtime. Competition is always more fierce; the stakes always more dire. Yet for coaches and players alike, those extra minutes are torturous, a last-chance drive to the net, a hope to find the ball in the right place at the right time.
While the stress of overtime sometimes keeps players from working with the cohesion and strategy they employ during regulation, when the women's field hockey team (3-2 overall, 2-0 Ivy League) took on Dartmouth (0-4, 0-2) on Saturday at the Class of 1952 Stadium, pressure made perfect.
What the team had failed to accomplish throughout the rest of the game, and indeed what they have been struggling with in every game this season, finally worked in a 2-1 overtime victory.
Ten minutes and 29 seconds into the 15-minute overtime, junior defender Micaela Vie Brock found herself expertly positioned to capitalize on the flurry of passes being made in front of the Dartmouth net after Princeton's 18th penalty corner of the game.
Freshman attack Tina Bortz tipped the ball from the right-hand side of the net after the initial hit off the top of the circle and, as the ball popped from Bortz's stick toward the left-hand corner of the goal, Vie Brock touched it right back to the left, and right past Big Green keeper Ashley Heist.
It was a doubled-edged victory for the Tigers, as the goal not only showed that they could capitalize on penalty corners — a constant struggle — but also gave them the final advantage in a game which they had dominated but were unable to put away.
"I don't think the score accurately reflected the game we played today" head coach Kristin Holmes-Winn said. "We were unlucky in the circle and need to continue to work on finishing, but overall I am very proud of the way we played".
Tigers' struggles
There is no doubt that Princeton's biggest struggle this season has been scoring goals, as its defense has already proven itself rock-solid. The Tigers held Dartmouth to only five shots throughout the entirety of the game and while Princeton's midfield play was choppy at times — and filled with illegally hit balls deflected from sticks or off free hits — Dartmouth very rarely found themselves with possession of the ball for more than a few seconds. Princeton was ever quick to make up for its mistakes.
The Tigers have always held themselves to a very high standard of play, and it is no surprise that Holmes-Winn is looking to find ways not only to perfect old strategies but to continually find new methods of topping her opponents.
"Right now we're working on recognizing close space, finding lanes to the outside and working in the midfield as well" she said.
Princeton kept the Big Green running, using this emphasis on close space to draw Dartmouth players into clumps before breaking the ball to the side lanes for smooth, long passes.
"Dartmouth was behind the play for most of the game, and that was where we wanted to keep them," Holmes-Winn said.
Setting the bar high
The Tigers seem ready to step it up another notch as they head into the middle of the season. While it is still relatively early, now is the time to combat old weaknesses, and as Princeton saw against Dartmouth, even the smallest defensive letdown can lead to a goal. Sharp passing and decisive lateral movement are the Tigers' strength, but Dartmouth found a way around even the tightest defense in the first half, forcing Princeton to fight from behind until Bortz's tying goal with 4:34 remaining in the second half.
Just like overtime, fans love a triumphant comeback, but it is hardly a position the Tigers will look to find themselves in again.
Read More
No. 7 women’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals against No. 1 UNC
Hayk YengibaryanWith the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
With the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
No. 3 men’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals after 19–18 loss to No. 5 Syracuse
Hayk YengibaryanWith the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
With the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
Preview: No. 3 men’s lacrosse plays No. 5 Syracuse in NCAA quarterfinals
Hayk YengibaryanShould the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Should the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.