Princeton women’s hockey (6–4–0 overall, 4–2–0 ECAC) defeated the Providence College Friars (4–9–1, 2–3–1) in a two-game non-conference series at Baker Rink this past weekend. Princeton began the series with a 3–0 shutout victory and continued the momentum the next day with a 3–1 win.
The Tigers started out strong in the first period, outshooting the Friars and seizing the puck at every opportunity. Princeton maintained a persistent offensive front while successfully defending counter attacks from Providence.
Two minutes into the game, Providence had two close shots on goal, both of which were saved by first-year goaltender Lia Nevo. The Tigers quickly launched a counter attack; sophomore defender Brooklyn Nimegeers drove up the rink and took a shot but could not find the net.
Just over halfway through the first period, a faceoff between first-year center forward Riley Sorokan and two Providence players took place in front of the Friars’ goal. Senior captain and forward Issy Wunder snuck in and stole the puck from the Friars, taking a shot and placing it in the back of the net, putting the Tigers in the lead 1–0.
But the Friars did not let up easily. Putting up a fight from the start, Providence played aggressively and tactically intercepted plays, creating several scoring opportunities.
For Princeton, it was winning faceoffs and creating turnovers that made all the difference.
“When you’re in 50-50 battles, it’s a hit or be hit mentality,” junior forward Ani Kozak told The Daily Princetonian after the game. “So we’re gonna be puck first, and we’re gonna win those battles.”
With the clock ticking down in the first period, Kozak stole the puck around the half line and drove up the rink to Providence’s goal. She hurled a shot and scored a top shelf goal, setting the Tigers ahead by two.
Tension rose in a scoreless second period as the Friars attempted to get themselves on the scoreboard. But the Tigers stayed consistent and made good transitions, maintaining their lead.
“We have to play 60 minutes with good habits and details,” women’s hockey Head Coach Courtney Birchard-Kessel told the ‘Prince’ after the game. “I think that’s the biggest thing.”
Halfway through the second period, the Tigers had a series of shots but could not find the net. A Providence player intercepted the Tigers and, taking the puck up on the left wing, launched the puck at Princeton’s net. Nevo slid on her knees to her left, blocking the shot.
“It was all instinct,” she later said.
Friday’s game marked the 17-year-old goaltender’s first career start and shutout. Throughout the game, she made 20 saves for the team.
The competition increased in the third period as the Friars tried to come back, while Princeton fought to defend its lead. With nine minutes left in the game, the Friars were able to connect a string of passes to a forward for a shot, but it was blocked again by Nevo.
Princeton maintained solid possession for the rest of the game. With one minute left, sophomore right wing Mackenzie Alexander scored an empty netter, locking in the Tiger victory of 3–0.
Headed into their second game at Baker Rink, Princeton sought to assert victory again and beat a revenge-hungy Providence.
The first period began with intense battles and lots of physicality. With eight minutes left in the period, Nimegeers entered a competitive 1-on-1 with a Providence defender. Nimegeers slashed the Friar’s stick, receiving the first penalty of the game.
In the power play that followed, Friar forward Audrey Knapp drove past Princeton’s defense with impressive stick handling skills and slipped a backhanded shot into the goal, putting Providence in the lead 1–0.
However, the Tigers did not let this stop them.
Sending up numbers into the offensive zone, the Tigers pressed the Friar defense. Senior forward Jane Kuehl found the puck and passed it to first-year defender Catie Collins. Collins launched it to the back of the net, scoring her first career goal and flattening out the score at 1–1.
In the second period, the Tigers extended their lead. On a power play, sophomore forward Angelina DiGirolamo took a shot that did not find the net, but Kuehl was able to pick it up and send it in, setting Princeton ahead 2–1.
In the final moments of the third period, Princeton’s defense capitalized on a turnover and Wunder sent the puck up toward the goal. With a single second left in the game, Alexander drove it into the goal and secured the victory of 3–1 with another empty net goal, her second of the series.
The Tigers will look to build on this momentum when they face the No. 7 Quinnipiac Bobcats at Baker Rink this Thursday at 6 p.m.
Isa Mena is a Sports contributor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to sports[at]dailyprincetonian.com
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