Players, coaches and fans alike knew that Wednesday night’s matchup between Princeton and Penn was going to be a close one. Both teams entered the evening tied in first place and undefeated in conference play. The teams were fighting for the solo spot atop the Ivy League, to be the favorites for the Ivy League championship and to be the host of the postseason conference tournament. Last season, the Quakers defeated the Tigers 13-8 in New Jersey, but in 2011 Princeton took two road wins over Penn, 11-7 and 10-8.
After 60 minutes of regulation time, the score was tied 9-9. The first overtime period saw no goals from either squad, but the Quakers (8-4 overall, 6-0 Ivy League) were eventually able to take the game with a converted free position shot in the second overtime period to win 10-9. This was the first conference loss of the season for the Tigers (8-5, 5-1) and knocks them down to second place.
"It was a really hard-fought game by both teams, and there were a few plays we probably wish we had back, especially near the end of the game,” junior midfielder Sarah Lloyd said. “But we played hard and hopefully will get them back in the tournament!"
The Tigers scored first and were never behind during the first half, but the score remained close throughout the opening 30 minutes. Freshman attack Alex Bruno struck first five minutes into play with a converted free position shot to put Princeton ahead. The Tigers increased their lead when freshman defender Liz Bannatine assisted sophomore attack Erin McMunn less than 90 seconds later. For 11 minutes, the Princeton defense had held Penn scoreless, but then the hosts responded with back-to-back finishes to even the score at 2-2.
Sophomore midfielder Erin Slifer connected with McMunn for her second goal of the night on a man-up opportunity to take back the lead for Princeton. Again, Penn fought back and netted another goal to tie up the score for the second time. Over seven minutes ticked off the clock without either team finding the back of the cage until junior attack Mary-Kate Sivilli broke the drought and scored at 6:18. McMunn tallied her third point of the half with an assist to Lloyd to give the Tigers their second two-goal lead of the half. With just over a minute left before halftime, however, Penn sent a goal past junior goalie Caroline Franke to bring the game back within one goal.
Penn came out of the locker room vying for control of the game, scoring three goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half. The Quakers evened the score at five at 27:21, but senior attack Jaci Gassaway took back the lead for the Tigers with a successful free position shot on the next play. Penn then scored twice in a row to take its first and only lead of regulation time 7-6 with over 20 minutes left to play.
The Quaker’s lead only lasted for 3:37 before Slifer finished unassisted to even the score at 7-7, the fourth tied score of the game. After pulling down the subsequent draw control, McMunn was fouled and given the opportunity to take back the Tigers' lead. Her third goal of the game forced Penn to call a timeout. Converting Princeton’s fourth free position shot of the evening, Slifer sent in her second goal of the half to put the Tigers ahead 9-7 with just over 12 minutes left to play.
Just as in the first half, there was a long spell of no scoring by either team for the next six minutes. Eventually, the Quakers converted a free position shot to bring the score back within one goal at 6:16. Finding the back of the net again 71 seconds later, Penn tied the score at 9-9. The final five minutes of regulation time ticked off the clock without a goal by either team, sending the game into overtime.
The first three minute overtime period saw no goal from either team, but Penn struck 44 seconds into the second overtime period to take the lead for only the second time all game at 10-9. When time expired, Penn emerged as the victor.
The Tigers take the field again at noon on Saturday in Hanover, N.H., as they take on their last Ivy League competitor of the season, Dartmouth. The Big Green have only one loss in conference play, also to Penn, and thus Saturday’s game is crucial for both teams because it will likely determine who finishes in second place in the league.
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