Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
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Freshmen Power Women's Hockey Past Vermont 3-1
February 20, 2004 | Women's Ice Hockey
Feb. 20, 2004
Box Score
PRINCETON - For 38 minutes, the Princeton women's hockey team owned every statistical advantage over Vermont except the score. A pair of freshmen made sure the Tigers would win that one as well, as Liz Keady and Kim Pearce scored three goals in the final 22 minutes to lead Princeton to a 3-1 win over Vermont Friday night at Baker Rink.
While Princeton kept firing shots at Vermont goaltender Kami Cote, it wasn't until a brilliant individual effort by Keady that Princeton finally evened the score. She took the puck around the left circle, skated to the blue line and then around the Vermont defenders until she had a clear path to the goal. She beat Cote low into the right corner to even the score and allow a nervous group of fans to breathe a sigh of relief. It stayed 1-1 into the third period, but not too long into it. Pearce scored the game winner 34 seconds in, off assists from Dina McCumber and Keady. Pearce, a physical and gifted freshman, was around the goal crease most of the night, and this time she was awarded with a blast just inside the left circle.
After Princeton fought off one of four Vermont power plays, Pearce put the game on ice when she knocked in a rebound off a shot by Laura Watt. The goal came at 12:46 in the period, and the Tigers clamped down defensively the rest of the game.
Princeton outshot Vermont 48-12, but trailed for much of the game because of an unassisted goal by Vermont's Kristen Morris nine minutes into the game. She stole a failed clearing pass and came in alone against Roxanne Gaudiel, who started in goal. Morris wristed a shot just past her for the goal. Gaudiel, and senior Megan Van Beusekom, who came in for the third period, would not allow another goal.
Princeton entered the night in fourth place in the ECAC standings. Since the top four teams host the ECAC quarterfinals, the Tigers need every point they can muster, and two points Saturday will definitely be tough to earn. The Tigers will face Dartmouth, which defeated Princeton 4-2 earlier in the season in Hanover. The game begins at 4 p.m., and admission is free.