After the field hockey team’s games last weekend were over, the team has been looking to upset No. 3 Virginia today. The tables have turned since the weekend, however, as the Tigers (8-1 overall, 3-0 Ivy League) took the No. 3 ranking from the now-No. 4 Cavaliers (9-1).
More is on the line than just rank, though, as friends, ex-teammates and even family members will be playing on both sides of the field.
“I know, as do several of my teammates, many of the players on UVA’s team,” junior midfielder and co-captain Katie Reinprecht said. “That always emphasizes the rivalry that much more.”
Junior striker Kathleen Sharkey voiced a similar sentiment about the rivalries between the players.
“I think both teams are familiar with each other’s individual playing styles,” Sharkey said. “Paige Selenski, their leading scorer, played for my and [junior midfielder] Alyssa Pyros’ club team in high school ... Also, [junior midfielder] Erin Jennings’ triplet sister Rachel is a starter on defense for Virginia.”
The Tigers come into the game hungry after a tough home loss to No. 14 American on Sunday. In that game, Princeton’s nation-leading offense — helmed by Sharkey and her 19 goals on the season — struggled to score despite a second-half flurry of shots.
“In the American game we definitely had opportunities to score,” Reinprecht said. “Sometimes they just won’t go in ... That’s the nature of the game.”
“It was frustrating to play an awesome game against Maryland, but then slip up less than a week later,” Sharkey said of the loss to American. “The loss was a reality check.”
The team hopes to return to the scoring form it demonstrated in its win over No. 1 Maryland and its trouncing of Columbia, a game in which the Tigers scored six goals, led by the efforts of Ivy League Player of the Week Katie Reinprecht and her three-goal performance.
“Our success against UVA will stem from our ability to play solid team defense,” Reinprecht said, “Our defensive mentality was incredible during the Maryland game, and that allowed us to commit more to the attack.”
Virginia is riding a wave of momentum this season, with its only loss this season coming in overtime against Maryland. The Cavaliers’ goalkeeper Kim Kastuk, who is ranked third in the nation in save percentage, will lead a defense sure to provide the Tigers’ prolific offense with staunch opposition.
“They have strong defenders who are very tough to eliminate,” Sharkey said. “They definitely play with a lot of energy and intensity.”
On the attacking end, Virginia will give Princeton’s defense plenty to contend with. Leading the attack will be Selenski, who is ranked second in the nation in goals scored (behind Sharkey), with 15 goals on the season. She will be assisted by forward Elly Buckley, the team’s second highest scorer with seven goals and 20 points overall. This potent offense will provide the Tiger defense with a challenge.
“Knowing full well that UVA has a very skilled forward line, our defensive structure will be absolutely crucial,” Reinprecht said.
A key for the Tigers will be the offensive clash of Sharkey and Selenski. The Tigers will have to contain Selenski, who has a knack for scoring unassisted goals, having picked up eight this season. For their part, the Tigers will have to find Sharkey and set her up for opportunities around the net as she looks to build on her 2.11 goals-per-game average.
“We know that a lot of their players, especially Paige, are very quick and have great stick skills,” Sharkey said. Still, she was confident in the Tigers’ ability to contain the Cavaliers, explaining, “We’ve been working on individual defense in practice lately, so I think our defenders are up to the challenge of defending a very quick and skilled Virginia offense.”
“I expect Friday’s game against Virginia to be an intense game for the entire 70 minutes,” Reinprecht said.
Given the caliber of the teams and the interpersonal rivalries, it should be.
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