For the first time since 1992, the women’s ice hockey team began its season with two losses. Princeton (0-2) returned winless from a trip to New England, dropping a 2-1 game to Northeastern (5-1-1) and losing 4-0 to Providence (7-2-0) the following day.
On Friday, the Tigers battled Northeastern in Boston. After junior forward and co-captain Paula Romanchuk received a minor penalty for interference late in the first period, the Huskies scored the game’s first goal. Northeastern forward Rachel Llanes found a loose puck in front of the net and was able to slip it by sophomore goaltender Cassie Seguin.
Romanchuk later made up for her penalty by taking advantage of a bench minor against Northeastern for too many players on the ice. Romanchuk — who was chosen last year by her fellow teammates to receive the Elizabeth English Trophy, which is awarded to the team’s most valuable player — tied the game up at 1-1 six minutes into the second period. The goal came off a shot from senior defender Sasha Sherry, who along with freshman defender Rose Alleva, picked up an assist on the play. It was Alleva’s first career point as a Tiger.
“To be honest, I don’t exactly remember the play that led to my goal,” Romanchuk said. “There was a shot and scramble in front, and I was able to get my stick on it and lift it over the goalie.”
Unfortunately for the Tigers, the score did not remain tied for long. A little over four minutes later, Northeastern defender Stephanie Gavronksy’s slap shot gave the Huskies a 2-1 lead. Even though they pulled their goalie for an extra attacker with three minutes to go in the game, the Tigers were not able to score.
The story on Saturday was slightly different but had a similar result for the Tigers. The Providence Friars defended their home ice, and three different players found the back of the net. The Tigers, on the other hand, were not able to solve Providence goalie Genevieve Lacasse, who picked up her 11th career shutout.
After a tight first period of play, Providence forward Ashley Cottrell scored off a one-timer. It was the only goal in the first two periods for either team. The score remained 1-0 until Alleva picked up a game misconduct penalty for checking from behind. No one was injured on the play that resulted in Alleva's ejection from the game. Providence scored on the ensuing power play on a goal that was upheld after review.
The Friars later added another goal off a slap shot as well as an empty-netter to beat the Tigers 4-0.
The team was disappointed with the outcome of both games but was mostly content with its early season play.
“The games this weekend definitely presented us with some challenges,” Seguin said. “But they were also good learning opportunities. For the most part we battled hard, which is a great start.”
Head coach Jeff Kampersal '92 noted that although the scores did not show it, the team played better as the weekend progressed.
“Record-wise, the weekend was not the start we wanted,” Kampersal said. “But we improved our battle each period of play. We performed well in areas, but overall we need to get better.”
Looking at the statistics, the offence appeared to be struggling. The team, however, is not worried that their offense only scored one goal in the two games.
“I don’t think we’re too concerned about our offense,” Romanchuk said. “We definitely had some good chances against both teams. Now we need to bear down and bury those chances when they come.”
Overall, the team has already racked up 47 minutes of penalties. Spending so much time on the penalty kill is a problem for the Tigers.
“We defended well [five-on-five] and overall killed penalties well,” Kampersal said. “But we were on the kill for so long, we gave up shots and eventually a few snuck in. We need to be more disciplined.”
Perhaps Seguin's play was the silver lining over the weekend. Seguin stopped an impressive 71 of 76 shots she faced.
“Cassie played well. She did her job,” Kampersal said. “She kept us in each game and gave us a chance to win.”
Seguin, despite her strong performance, said the team can play a lot better.
“We know we have the capability and the promise; we just have to show it on all areas of the ice on a consistent basis,” Seguin said. “The first weekend is over and now we can build off of it.”
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