Princeton sets sights on No. 1 team in nation

The Tigers are currently No. 12, though new rankings will be released during the game. Princeton (9-1 overall, 3-0 Ivy League) should be well rested, as the squad has not played since defeating the Providence Friars, 2-0, on Oct. 5.

The Terrapins (11-2, 3-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), meanwhile, are going through perhaps the toughest stretch of their season. After an early loss to No. 7 Syracuse, Maryland grabbed the top spot by defeating then-No. 1 Wake Forest. This past Saturday, however, the Terrapins were upset by No. 9 Duke. Maryland recovered quickly from its stumble: Before traveling north, the Terrapins defeated a struggling Penn squad, 5-1. Looking to solidify its hold on the top spot, Maryland will no doubt come out firing on all cylinders.

Princeton, however, is chomping at the bit and is more than ready to play the spoiler. The Tigers have had a largely successful season, with their only loss coming in a double-overtime heartbreaker against No. 8 Connecticut. Princeton has since defeated No. 13 Penn State and then-No. 18 Albany.

“As a team, we are in a position where we have never been before, with a 9-1 record,” senior midfielder Sarah Reinprecht said. “Maryland will be our biggest test this year. We are a team that can compete with the top programs in the country, and this is our chance to prove that.”

Heading into the matchup, Princeton will welcome three central players back to its star-studded team. Junior defender Kaitlyn Perrelle, freshman attack Kathleen Sharkey and freshman midfielder Katie Reinprecht helped the U.S. Junior National team win gold at the Junior Pan-American Games in Mexico City. Despite missing two contests, Reinprecht still leads the team in points, and Sharkey is third in scoring. Though the Tigers did not drop a game while the trio was away, their absence did not go unnoticed.

Interestingly, the three Princeton players got to rub elbows with their upcoming opponents while in Mexico. The Terrapins, like the Tigers, are welcoming back three players from the gold-medal-winning Pan-Am team. Maryland forward Katie O’Donnell, midfielder Brianna Davies and midfielder Alexis Pappas all played for the national team.

Unfortunately for Princeton, the Terrapins feature a potent offense. Back Susie Rowe leads Maryland with an astonishing 17 goals and 42 points overall, with O’Donnell a close second with 38 points.

The Tigers understand what a victory over the top-ranked team would mean in terms of the playoffs. With a win, Princeton would all but guarantee itself a spot in the top 10 and would likely receive an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament. Last season, UMass defeated the Tigers in a tournament play-in game.

“Winning this game would send a very important statement to the NCAA,” senior midfielder and co-captain Candice Arner noted. “One of our goals is to receive an automatic bid for the NCAA tournament, and a win versus Maryland would just put us even closer to achieving this goal.”

Equally significant is the opportunity for Princeton to establish itself as a contender in its own mind as the tournament nears. The Tigers have consistently beaten teams near or beneath them in the rankings. The close loss at UConn proved that the Tigers could compete with the cream of the crop, but tonight’s game presents an even greater test.

“This is a huge chance to build confidence,” senior midfielder Kraftin Schreyer said. “Going into the tournament with big wins under your belt is always a plus. We can come out of this game with a lot of well-deserved respect. This is our chance, and we plan to make the most of it.”

The showdown is also important for another reason: “Play for the Cure,” which supports breast cancer research, will be hosting a fundraiser at the game. Bracelets will be sold for $1 along with T-shirts for $15 or $20.