Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Pennsylvania
Field Hockey Completes Perfect Ivy Campaign, Eyes NCAA Tournament
November 08, 2002 | Field Hockey
Nov. 8, 2002
Princeton, N.J. - Ilvy Friebe scored one goal and assisted on two others as the Princeton field hockey team completed its third consecutive perfect Ivy League season with a 3-0 win Friday night at Class of 1952 Stadium. Princeton improves to 11-6 with the win and will wait until Tuesday night to find out where it will begin play in the 2002 NCAA tournament.
Princeton struggled throughout most of the first half, although play was still contained mainly in Penn's half of the field. The Tigers were able to take a 1-0 lead into halftime thanks to a strong individual effort from senior tri-captain Ilvy Friebe, who carried possession into the circle and was able to push a shot off of a Penn stick and high into the cage.
The Tigers played a more disciplined second half and were rewarded with a pair of penalty-corner scores. Senior tri-captain Emily Townsend ripped a direct hit into the cage at the 47:24 mark, opening a 2-0 and providing the Tigers with their first bit of breathing room during the night. Five minutes later, junior Cory Picketts scored on another penalty corner to open the 3-0 lead that would hold up as the final. Senior Kelly Baril played more than 54 minutes in the cage and didn't allow a goal. She gave way to classmate Zehra Nizami, who completed the shutout.
Princeton outshot Penn 20-1 and earned a 14-0 advantage in penalty corners.
The Tigers will now begin their third consecutive NCAA tournament. Last season, Princeton reached the Final Four before falling to eventual champion Michigan. The Tigers have reached the Final Four four times (1996, 1997, 1998, 2001) and played for the NCAA title (1996, 1998).
The Class of 2002 ends its Ivy League career with a record of 27-1 and won its final 24 league contests. Tri-captains Friebe, Townsend and Rachael Becker, and classmates Baril, Nizami, Kristen Skorupski and Beckie Wood will look to complete their careers with the one honor that has eluded them - the national championship. Bids will be announced Tuesday night, and you can follow Princeton's path to the NCAA tournament on www.GoPrincetonTigers.com.
For official 2002 Princeton field hockey Ivy League championship merchandise, you can log on to www.Ivysport.com.
Penn (6-10, 2-5) 0-0 - 0
Princeton (10-7, 7-0) 1-2 - 3
Scoring - Friebe 21:42; Townsend (Miller, Friebe) 47:24; Picketts (Martirosian, Friebe) 52:46.
Shots - Penn 1, Princeton 20.
Corners - Penn 0, Princeton 14.
Defensive Saves - Penn 1, Princeton 0.
Saves - Penn: Amanda Jacobs 3, Princeton: Kelly Baril 0, Zehra Nizami 0.