Fresh Ks making the plays

Princeton (7-1 overall, 2-0 Ivy League) is currently on a four-game winning streak. In those four outings the Tigers have scored a total of 19 goals, nine coming from the combined efforts of Reinprecht and Sharkey. Reinprecht leads the team with eight goals, six assists and 22 overall points. Sharkey is not far behind, second in goals with seven and third in points with 16.

Reinprecht’s impressive outings this past week earned her both Ivy League Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week honors. She scored five goals and registered three assists in a mere three games, including four goals against Yale on Saturday, tying the Princeton record for goals in a game. One of her eight goals came against No. 13 Penn State last Wednesday as did one of those assists, which allowed Sharkey to score what would be the game-winner in the 3-2 victory.

It is surprising to find, then, that Reinprecht had mixed emotions about field hockey when she first picked up the sport.

“The first time I ever played was in second grade,” Reinprecht said. “I hated it. I didn’t want to play, so I stopped. I picked it up in fifth grade again.”

Like Reinprecht, whose mother played in college and whose sister is senior midfielder Sarah Reinprecht, Sharkey also has a field hockey-playing family.

“My oldest sister played in junior high,” Sharkey said. “I hit around with her in the yard.”

During high school, neither was satisfied with interscholastic competition. They both joined club teams and from there progressed to the national level. Sharkey was on the Olympic Development team and has competed internationally in Chile, Holland and Canada. Reinprecht’s mother coached her early at the club level before she too moved up. She is currently on the U.S. national development squad. Both Reinprecht and Sharkey are also on the U.S. U-20 team. They will see some action this Saturday in Mexico at the Pan-Am games and will not be playing in Princeton’s home match Sunday against Providence.

Adjustment to college life and a new level of play is one of the biggest challenges a freshman athlete faces, but Reinprecht and Sharkey are taking it all in stride.

“I didn’t know what to expect coming in,” Sharkey said. “I had already played with some of the girls. I knew a few of the upperclassmen. They really helped the adjustment. .... We are fortunate to have the upperclassmen encouraging us. We are all one out there.”

As for goals for the season, the freshman duo speaks almost in unison. Instead of any individual benchmarks, they both have committed their on-field energy to their team goals of advancing in the postseason and making a run at the national championship. Needless to say, their individual success is helping the team’s cause.

“We have set some pretty high goals,” Reinprecht said. “This is probably one of the best teams we are going to have. I don’t want to jinx it, but I have high hopes.”

As long as Princeton continues along the path it’s on, a postseason bid is likely. But the pressure will certainly grow on the team and these outstanding freshmen, who have found the spotlight early in their careers with their impressive play.