Zeroing in on the penultimate weekend of the 2015 field hockey season, the Tigers (8-6 overall, 5-0 Ivy League) will face Cornell (10-5, 4-1) at home on Saturday. Although No. 20 Princeton controls the top Ivy League spot, a win for the streaking Big Red would even the two teams atop the conference rankings and blemish the Orange and Black’s long-standing undefeated Ivy League record.
While Princeton has typically played the role of underdog this season, the Tigers will be placed on the defensive on Saturday. With an unusually difficult out-of-conference schedule, the Tigers have spent many weekends this season facing steep uphill battles against top NCAA teams such as No. 1 Syracuse, No 2. Connecticut and No. 3 North Carolina. On Saturday, however, the Tigers will have to protect home field and an impeccable Ivy League record from visiting Cornell.
Historically, Princeton Field Hockey has dominated Cornell. Over the past seven years, Princeton has won seven straight games over the Big Red, with a cumulative scoring margin of 33-6. Last year, the Tigers won by a score of 3-2. With 10 consecutive Ivy League Field Hockey Championships, Princeton remains the team to beat in the conference.
Meanwhile, Cornell returns hungrier than ever to dethrone the dominant Tigers, and the Big Red has reason for confidence. Just this past weekend, Cornell defeated both Dartmouth and Lehigh, outscoring its opponents combined by a margin of 13-1. This year, Cornell has already broken school records for points and assists in a season, previously 131 and 41, respectively.
Despite the Tiger’s dominant record over Cornell, the latter has narrowed the gap this year. Comparing the two teams in national rankings, the two Ivies are neck and neck offensively with Princeton ranked 14th and Cornell 16th in points per game. It’s on the defensive end that the Big Red have distinguished themselves. Cornell currently ranks 5th in shutouts per game — tallying seven this season alone — and 9th in defensive saves.
Adding to the pressure, Saturday also mark Princeton’s annual Senior Day in which the team honors its graduating class. The six seniors on the team include striker Teresa Benvenuti, striker Maddie Copeland, back Saskia de Quant, back Kate Ferrara, goalie Anya Gersoff and midfielder Debi-Michelle Jantzen.
This graduating class represents the final remnants of the 2012 national championship team. In their four years together, these six seniors have contributed to Princeton’s 25-1 Ivy League field hockey record.
With Senior Day, Ivy League dominance and the season home finale all on the line, Saturday’s game won’t be one to miss.
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