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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
New Hampshire
Princeton Upsets Fifth-Ranked New Hampshire
December 08, 2001 | Women's Ice Hockey
Dec. 8, 2001
PRINCETON, N.J. - Fresh off a two-victory performance in New York last weekend, Princeton's women's hockey team kept right on rolling, and they only needed one goal to do it. Forward Gretchen Anderson (So., Natick, Mass.) moved around a New Hampshire defender at the blue line, saw nothing but open ice, switched the puck to her forehand, and beat Wildcats goalie Jen Huggon (Jr., Plymouth, Mass.) as Princeton toppled fifth-ranked New Hampshire 1-0 in overtime Saturday afternoon at Hobey Baker Rink.
"I can't think of anyone better that I would want in that breakaway situation," said Princeton coach Jeff Kampersal. "Gretchen is a finisher, and she proved that again today."
It was Anderson's team-leading eighth goal of the season. "I thought the team played with tremendous heart today," Kampersal said. "They battled adversity - two too many player on the ice penalties - and were resilient for 60 minutes. They played a smart, disciplined game."
New Hampshire (10-3-1 overall, 6-1-1 ECAC-East), playing its first game since falling from No. 2 to No. 5 in the USA Today/American Hockey Magazine women's college hockey rankings, managed 25 shots on Tiger goaltender Megan Van Beusekom (So., Loretto, Minn.), including 12 in the third period and two in overtime, but could not find the net as they were shutout for the second time this season.
"UNH was really taking it to us in the third," Kampersal said, "but Megan was a force in net. She made herself big and came up with some huge saves. She definitely raised her game to meet the challenge of a highly ranked team. She gave us a chance to get into overtime and win the game."
Princeton (6-3-2, 3-2-0 ECAC-North) owned the first period, outshooting the Wildcats 9-2, six of those nine chances coming within 12 feet of the net.
The Tigers dodged disaster in the second, killing off two New Hampshire power plays stemming from the only two penalties of the game - identical infractions for too many players on the ice, one at 14:21 and another at 16:57.
The Wildcats turned up the offensive pressure in the third, attacking Van Beusekom with 12 shots, one more than their total from the first two periods. Van Beusekom made a key glove save on Steph Jones (Fr., Kimberley, B.C.) at the 11-minute mark. With just 24 seconds remaining in regulation, the Tiger netminder kept the game scoreless when she stopped Annie Hahlenbock (Jr., Alton, N.H.) from the slot. Princeton managed just three shots in the third period, all from long range.
Van Beusekom was again put to the test in overtime, saving a shot from just outside the crease by Jones and another from the left circle by forward Janine Goulet (So., Gloughester, Ont.) before Anderson capped the afternoon with her breakaway game-winner at 2:53 of the extra period.
"I've been coaching for six years," Kampersal said, "and UNH has always represented the best. They work hard, they are skilled, and they are well coached. So it's always nice to get a win against them."
Princeton faces Quinnipiac (2-8-1, 0-6-0 ECAC-East) Sunday at 2 p.m. at Hobey Baker Rink.
New Hampshire (10-3-1, 6-1-1 ECAC-East) 0 0 0 0 - 0 Princeton (6-3-2, 3-2-0 ECAC-North) 0 0 0 1 - 1
Scoring: Overtime P-1 Gretchen Anderson 8 (unassisted) 2:53
Goaltending New Hampshire - Jen Huggon (62:53, 1 goal against, 18 saves), Princeton - Megan Van Beusekom (62:53, 0 goals against, 25 saves).
Shots: New Hampshire - 25, Princeton - 19
Penalties: New Hampshire - 0/0, Princeton - 2/4
Power plays: New Hampshire - 0/2, Princeton - 0/0
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