“We know we can play strong defense, and, after Rutgers, we know we can work a team offense,” junior midfielder Holly McGarvie said. “After Hopkins, we established that we are a team that can handle pressure. If put in a similar situation, we know we can come out on top again.”
McGarvie can pride herself on helping the Tigers persevere against the Blue Jays this past Saturday. McGarvie scored four times while sophomore goalkeeper Kaitlyn Perrelle and the defense rallied in the second half, denying every Hopkins shot for the last 19 minutes.
On Wednesday, the Tigers showed real expertise, pulling out a big 16-8 win over local rival Rutgers. Junior attack Christine Casaceli and junior midfielder Kristin Schwab led Princeton’s scoring effort, Casaceli netting four and Schwab three. The Tigers outshot the Scarlet Knights 31-21 overall, while Perrelle and freshman goalie Erin Tochihara combined for eight saves in the win.
Duke arrives Saturday with a similarly impressive record. Also undefeated, the Blue Devils pulled off a thrilling 14-13 victory over No. 5 Maryland on the same day as Princeton’s game against the Blue Jays. With a 13-13 tie going into the final minutes, Duke’s Jess Adam found an opening and scored the game-winner with only three seconds left. The Tigers should also keep an eye out for Carolyn Davis, who leads the Blue Devils with 19 goals this season.
“We need to make a strong defensive stand, especially when Duke takes hard challenges around the crease and from the top,” McGarvie said.
Princeton’s leader board is not as top-heavy, as Casaceli and McGarvie are the Tigers’ top scorers with five goals apiece, and three others have netted at least two goals in the first two games of the season. McGarvie noted, however, that this deep and evenly spread talent is an asset that the team can use to its advantage.
“This weekend we are going to play a team-oriented attack,” McGarvie said. “We have many weapons on our team, and Duke will not be able to keep up with us. We want to run a smart attack, and that begins with our offensive transition.”
This strategy, combined with resolute defense, should allow Princeton to give the Blue Devils a challenge well worth their long journey up the East Coast.
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