U.S. wins gold with Tigers on the field

Junior defender Kaitlyn Perrelle, freshman midfielder Katie Reinprecht and freshman attack Kathleen Sharkey spent the past week across the border with the U.S. team. The three Princetonians made an impact right away, with each scoring a goal in the Americans’ first win against Bermuda.

After netting another victory in round-robin play, this time against Trinidad and Tobago, the Americans matched up with Chile. In the final game of preliminary pool play, the United States fought the Chileans to a draw.

In the semifinals, the Americans played stalwart defense en route to a 6-1 win over host Mexico, earning a berth in the finals and a rematch with the Chileans. The United States defeated Chile in overtime, 2-1.

Reinprecht, who has played with the U.S. U-21 National Team since high school, started every game for the Americans. Sharkey and Perrelle, meanwhile, made appearances in all five contests.

Reinprecht and Sharkey are part of one of Princeton’s most accomplished recruiting classes in recent memory, and the two have not disappointed on the field. Reinprecht currently leads the team with 23 points on only 21 shots, and Sharkey is third on the team with 16 points. Both players have posted these gaudy offensive numbers despite playing in only eight games each, as the two freshmen missed two contests while in Mexico.

Perrelle, on the other hand, has starred for the Tigers for several years. After being named Rookie of the Year in 2006, Perrelle started all 18 games during Princeton’s 2007 Ivy League championship season.

In the absence of three of their star players, the Tigers have taken care of business against Columbia and Providence, winning 3-2 and 2-0. Princeton’s most lethal offensive threats return just in time, however, as the Tigers face No. 1 Maryland tonight.