The wheel of fortune. What goes up must come down. Concepts you never consider when you're on top, believe unquestionably when you're in a rut and despise when you've moved from the top to the bottom.
Don't mention karma to the women's hockey team. Coming out of the first 10 games of the season, No. 9 Princeton (8-4-2 overall, 8-2-1 Eastern College Athletic Association) was undefeated. As fall break was winding down, however, the Tigers were dealt a severe blow to their egos, dropping two in a row to No. 6 Dartmouth and No. 5 Harvard. Unfortunately for Princeton, a wounded ego can't be listed on the injury report.
The team hasn't won since. Prolonging the drought, Princeton faced off last weekend against No 1. Mercyhurst and added another two losses to its record.
The Tigers, however, are preparing for their upcoming games against Wayne State (5-9) with no less enthusiasm than before suffering their recent four-game skid. Holding Mercyhurst to a 1-0 overtime victory after a 6-1 loss the night before was definitely a boost to the team's morale coming into this week.
"Our team definitely took this as a positive experience and [went] into this week of practice with a good attitude and a lot of energy," freshman goaltender Brittany Parisi said.
With energy high, the team is heading to Motown to take on the Warriors. Last year the Tigers went 1-0-1 against Wayne State. Winning the first game 5-2, all four Tigers who earned multiple points are back on the ice this year. Princeton leads the all-time series 3-0-1, and is hoping to kick off another winning streak on the trip.
Using results against common opponents as a standard, the Tigers ought to defeat the Warriors. Wayne State is 4-4 against the teams' common foes, while Princeton is 5-0-1.
Game Plan
If Princeton wants to dominate on the ice this weekend, it needs to shut down Wayne State's sophomore standout Melissa Boal. She leads the team in points, goals, power-play goals, shorthanded goals and shots.
The Tiger defense, which has been the team's strongest asset all season, will also need to keep a close eye on Boal's classmate Lindsay DiPietro. Leading the team with 12 assists, Pietro has also put the puck in the back of the net a few times on her own.
For the Warriors, the game plan will not be so simple. Princeton's offensive power is spread around the team, with senior forward Kim Pearce leading in points, assists and shots, junior forward Marykate Oakley leading goals, power play goals and shot percentage and junior forward Brittany Salmon leading in shorthanded goals. The Tigers have a wealth of talented players who should give Wayne State plenty to worry about.
But perhaps what the Warriors should worry about most will be getting past the stellar goalkeepers Princeton will put in front of the net.
Parisi, who had 47 saves against Mercyhurst last Saturday and allowed only one goal, will undoubtedly be a factor in this weekend's matches, and sophomore Kristin Young has a save percentage of .900.
In terms of goals scored through an equal number of games, the Tigers edge Wayne State by one goal, but the Warriors have allowed their opponents to score 17 more goals this season than Princeton's goaltenders have allowed to slip past them.
Last weekend the goal was to play a solid three periods of hockey against the number one team in the nation. Saturday afternoon, the Tigers achieved their objective. This weekend, the goal is to play another two games of good hockey and come away with two Ws.
"After losing 6-1 last Friday night we were able to completely turn it around and play with the No. 1 team for a full 60 minutes." Parisi said. "I think that is something we have to be proud of. We still have a lot of hard work ahead of us, so we are looking forward to getting back out on the ice."
Dangerous as it is to rely on fortune, Princeton has high hopes that the fickle wheel will soon come full circle.
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.