Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Maryland
No. 1 Maryland Escapes Princeton With 2-1 Field Hockey Victory
September 27, 2002 | Field Hockey
Sept. 27, 2002
PRINCETON, N.J. - Senior attacker Ilvy Friebe (Bonn, Germany) scored early and took one fewer shot than Maryland as a whole, but her No. 15 Princeton Tigers could not hold off the No. 1 team in the nation tonight at Class of 1952 Stadium. Maryland senior Carissa Messimer scored the game winner on a penalty stroke to lead the Terrapins (9-1) to the comeback win. For Princeton (3-2), it was the second loss of the season on a penalty stroke.
The matchup between 2001 national semifinalists was all it was expected to be, with both teams playing a clean game, mainly between the two circles. Maryland gained an early edge in possession and pushed its defense to midfield. The speedy Friebe took advantage, taking a lead ball and dribbling past the defense. Maryland goalie Kerry Hearsay made a diving attempt, but Friebe went right, cleared Hearsay and fired the ball into the middle of the cage 3:23 into the game. That would be all of the scoring for the next forty minutes, as both defenses dominated play. Maryland evened the score at the 43:45 mark on a shot taken by Messimer on the left wing of the circle. Princeton goalie Kelly Baril (Peabody, Mass.) was in position to make the save, but Maryland freshman Tiffany Marsh got to it first, redirecting it into the right corner of the cage.
Both teams would have opportunities to take the lead, but it was the 2000 national champions who finally broke through. Following a collision between Baril and an onrushing Terrapin in front of the cage, Maryland was awarded a stroke. Baril went right, but Messimer's shot went into the left corner for the eventual game winner.
A final Princeton rally was highlighted by a pair of penalty-corner shots by senior Emily Townnsend (Houston, Texas). Townsend took the fifth of six second-half penalty corners and sent a lob shot that was cleared by Hearsay. Seconds later, Princeton was awarded another corner, but Townsend's direct shot went wide right. Maryland finally cleared the ball and held off any final rallies.
Princeton will stay home and face the Michigan State Spartans Sunday at 1 p.m.
MARYLAND (8-1) 0 2 - 2 PRINCETON (3-2) 1 0 - 1Scoring: P - Friebe 3:23; M - Marsh (Messimer) 43:45; M - Messimer (stroke) 63:15.
Shots: P 8; M 5.
Corners: P 6; M 3.
Strokes: P 0/0; M 1/1.
Saves: P - Baril 2; M - Hearsay 5.