Princeton University Athletics
1998 Field Hockey Review
September 13, 1999 | Field Hockey
It all depends on your point of view.
One perspective, a narrow one at that, still wonders where Prince Charming got lost. Somewhere on I-95 maybe, or maybe in that marathon that Philadelphia hosted on Nov. 22, 1998. Wherever he was, he didn't make it to Franklin Field, kiss the princess and complete the fairy-tale story that was the Princeton field hockey season.
Surely, it was supposed to be their year. Ever since Beth Bozman took over the program in 1988, the Tigers have made the transformation from a decent Ivy League program to a national powerhouse. Now they were loaded with the guns of an eight-deep senior class and a group of underclassmen that had never experienced a season without a trip to the Final Four. These Tigers seemed primed to walk away on that sunny Sunday afternoon with the one honor that had so far eluded them—the national title.
They didn't, and to some that may mar the memories. It shouldn't, though, because the road to Franklin Field was filled with both glory, honor and prestige.
Princeton started the season 11-1, including a 5-1 record against Top 20 opponents. It had dramatic wins against Maryland and Rutgers and a tough loss at Connecticut. The Tigers oushot the Huskies 23-11, but lost the game. Still, they left the field positive they were the better team and awaited the chance to prove it.
Eventually that chance would come.
The weekend of Oct. 24-25 was a long-awaited homestand against Harvard and Old Dominion. Granted, the two schools hardly parallel each other in field hockey terms, but both games were meaningful in their own ways.
Hilary Matson, Princeton's speedy sophomore and one of many underclassmen who will be crucial in continuing the winning tradition of Princeton field hockey, scored twice to lead the Tigers to a 5-1 win over Harvard. With the win the Tigers clinched their unprecedented fifth straight Ivy League crown. The Crimson's Judy Collins became the answer to a trivia question when she scored late in the second half for the only Ivy goal Meg DeJong would allow in her unbelievable senior season.
The other side of the weekend was hardly as sweet. Old Dominion, the nation's top team, defeated Princeton 2-0. Goals by Marina DiGiacomo and Mimi Smith ended the Tigers' 30-game undefeated streak at Class of 1952 Stadium.
Having lost two of three, the Tigers were determined to end their season on a positive note. They rid themselves of a three-year demon when Matson scored at 13:27 mark of overtime to propel the Tigers to a 4-3 win over North Carolina. The Tar Heels had been responsible for eliminating the Tigers from the NCAA tournament in each of the previous three years, including the 1996 championship game.
Princeton defeated Duke 2-0 two days later, but the win provided little reason for celebration. Molly O'Malley tore her right ACL on a freak play and was told that her season was likely finished. She was determined to end her season at Franklin Field, just like the rest of her teammates, and began her recuperation immediately.
Princeton ended the year as the third-ranked team and hosted its first NCAA tournament game. Like most other teams, Penn State had no answer for Kirsty Hale, who scored and assisted on two other goals. Princeton won 3-1 and packed its bags for the familiar trip to Franklin Field.
The national semifinal brought a rain-soaked rematch with Connecticut. Hoping to jump out quickly, Princeton was again surprised by an early Huskies' goal. This time, however, the Tigers would solve the Connecticut defense for four goals. Matson scored the first two, including a beautiful end-to-end sprint that showed why she will be one of the top offensive threats for the next two years. Hale added two more and Princeton prepared for the championship game and a rematch with ODU.
Oh yeah. O'Malley took part in the postgame celebration. The gutsy senior battled back, not to watch but to play in the Final Four. Her play wasn't the same as it had been during the season, but her inspiration was more than could ever be measured.
In the final the Monarchs jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Melanie Meerschwam appeared to cut the deficit in half with a penalty-corner blast before halftime. The goal was disallowed and Princeton went into the half knowing it needed at least two goals in the next 35 minutes to keep its dream alive.
Hale scored the first off a pass from Robin Dwyer with 25:30 remaining in the game. DiGiacomo scored her second goal of the game on a penalty corner to bring the lead back to two goals. Alison Morris lofted a goal off a penalty corner with 10 minutes remaining to make the score 3-2. That would be the final goal of the 1998 season.
Eight Tigers were honored on the All-Ivy team, including six on the first team. Hale, Matson, O'Malley, DeJong, Christine Hunsicker and Ann Marie Reich were on the first team while Dwyer and Morris were on the second team. Hale and O'Malley were first-team All-Americas. Hunsicker and Matson were on the third team.
Hale broke the Princeton goal-scoring record when she scored her 61st against Dartmouth. DeJong shut out Penn in the regular-season finale, tying her for the team record with 10 shutouts in a season. Princeton ended the year with 17 wins, one short of the school record.
From the broad perspective, it seems like a magical season at Old Nassau. Sure, Prince Charming wasn't there at the end, but this was no tale of fantasy. This team—from the phenomenal seniors who started paving the road to their talented teammates who know first and foremost how to win—was, is and will always be the reality of Princeton's road to greatness.