Princeton University Athletics
2004 Princeton Field Hockey Outlook
August 20, 2004 | Field Hockey
Aug. 20, 2004
Kristen Holmes-Winn expects her Princeton field hockey team to be among the best in the country. A quick glance at her 2004 roster certainly explains why. Start with the fact that eight Tiger players, nearly half the roster, are experienced seniors. It's a group that experienced an NCAA final four as freshmen in 2001 and would like nothing less than a return to that spot, this time as the team's unquestioned leaders. Don't forget Princeton's other upperclassmen, juniors and sophomores now, who the head coach says have made bigger strides than any other group in the off-season. Many of those players were given their first real playing opportunities during last year's 12-6 season and will only be better off for that experience. End with a five-member freshman class that includes All-Americas and a member of the Under-21 U.S. National Team, and hopes are high for a special season at Class of 1952 Stadium. And that's saying something for a team that has won 10 straight Ivy League titles and earned nine NCAA tournament appearances and four NCAA semifinal appearances in those 10 years. "The key to our season this year is whether or not we can step up to the challenges and stresses that will come along," says Holmes-Winn, now in her second season. "We have high goals, and to reach those goals our mentality will need to be strong enough to compete in every game for 70 minutes or more." While last season's 12-6 campaign was certainly no failure, it was a season that featured a few lost opportunities. One-goal losses to Penn State, Maryland, Connecticut and William & Mary were games that truly could have gone either way with just a few different bounces or a few more seconds on the clock. "There were a lot of adjustments to a new structure and a new philosophy last season," says Holmes-Winn, "but that will be a lot smoother this year. That said, executing on things like penalty corners and other set pieces will be a huge emphasis for us as we head into the year." EIGHT IS ENOUGH Most coaches in any college sport would tell you that you can't have enough seniors on your team. Holmes-Winn would certainly agree, especially considering the quality of Princeton's Class of 2005. Leading the way for that group is midfielder Natalie Martirosian, a first-team All-America each of the last two seasons and a team captain for the Tigers in 2004. A dynamic stickhandler with terrific speed and vision, not-to-mention a team-high seven assists last season, Martirosian is also a favorite for Ivy League Player of the Year honors. "Natalie is fun to watch; she's just so dangerous," says Holmes-Winn. "She might be the fastest player in the country with the ball, and she should be a tremendous leader for us as a senior." Princeton's other captain heading into the season is also a senior, midfielder Shahrzad Joharifard. An experienced player, tough competitor and excellent leader, Joharifard may not play this season, however, due to a serious knee injury that may not be healed in time. "Day-in and day-out, Shahr brings that fire and passion that's vital for any team," says Holmes-Winn. "It will be a big loss if she can't play, but her leadership will still be there." There are certainly other outstanding players among the big senior class. On attack, Lauren Quinn returns after scoring six goals as a junior, while three of Ashley Sennett's five goals as a junior were game-winners. In the midfield, Alexis Martirosian had a solid season in 2003 in her first year as a starter. "Lauren had an excellent summer league and improved a great deal during the spring season," Holmes-Winn says. "Ashley emerged as a strong leader last year. She has the ability to be dominant when she gets on a roll. Alexis is a technically sound player who is a true student of the game." The Princeton defense will feature three seniors who are at least two-year starters. Lizzie Black, who started every game for the second straight year in 2003, not only played excellent defense as a junior but also led the Tigers with eight goals and 22 points. Particularly effective counterattacking and on penalty-corner situations, Black was a second-team All-Ivy pick a year ago. "Lizzie makes excellent decisions," Holmes-Winn says. "She's the anchor of our backfield in more ways than one." In Kelly Darling and Jen Elliott, Holmes-Winn also has two more experienced defensive players at her disposal. Darling, also a key member of the powerful Princeton women's lacrosse team, had two goals and two assists a year ago, while Elliott played in 15 games and provided solid defensive play in every one. "Jen is steady and has a quiet intensity that her teammates really admire," says Holmes-Winn. "Kelly didn't get to play with us in the spring because of lacrosse, but expect her to have an excellent senior year." WHO ELSE IS BACK? With only one exception, Princeton's other returnees all had a chance to adapt to Holmes-Winn's system with significant playing time in 2003. Add an excellent summer, and the entire group should make an outstanding contribution in 2004. In the midfield, junior Maren Ford returns after tying Black for the team lead with eight goals (on just 19 shots) as a sophomore. She was a second-team All-Ivy pick in 2003. Hillary Schmidt, whose younger sister Paige joins the team as a freshman this year, started every game as a sophomore in the backfield after playing in just nine games as a freshman in 2002. Liz Miller, a defender, played somewhat sparingly in 10 games as a sophomore in 2003 but should compete for more time this year. "All three of those players made tremendous strides in their technical games during the spring season," Holmes-Winn says. "Maren is an outstanding athlete who learns very quickly. Hillary and Liz have improved immensely and should be big contributors this year." On attack, junior Lauren Ehrlichman is back as an important offensive option. She scored five goals in 2003 and started several games in the early season. The only non-senior who didn't see action last season was junior Ali Shames-Dawson, and that was because of injury. Shames-Dawson, who played in five games on attack as a freshman, should return healthy this preseason. Princeton doesn't have much to worry about when it comes to the last line of defense. Ivy League Rookie of the Year Allison Nemeth was ranked among the top five nationally in goals-against average much of her freshman year and was also the Ivy League Player of the Week after her 12-save performance in a win over Old Dominion. Her classmate, Juliana Simon, didn't play as much in the final half of the season but had her own share of spectacular performances, including a 10-save night at Maryland. "It's still a competitive situation for us as far as goalkeeping goes," says Holmes-Winn. "Both Allison and Juliana have different strengths, so it still may vary from match to match as far as who starts or comes in during the game. It's nice to have a comfort level with either goalie no matter what." Nemeth played 879 of the 1271 minutes for the Tigers last season, compiling a 1.59 goals-against average and a 10-3 record overall, including a shutout against Brown. Simon started six games and was often spectacular against some of Princeton's best competition. She finished the year with a .628 saves percentage. THE FRESHMEN Holmes-Winn is certainly excited about her first recruiting class, a group that reaches as far as California for two players but also stays close to home in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. "We're hoping this group comes in willing to challenge and compete for positions right away," Holmes-Winn says. "From a competitive standpoint, we think they can, which will only make everyone better." Two members of the class were key members of U.S. national teams as juniors. Nicole Ng, from the San Jose area, was a member of the Under-19 U.S. Team and also a national and West Regional NFHCA All-America in 2003. A midfielder, she was the San Jose Field Hockey Player of the Year in 2002. Paige Schmidt, who lives in West Chester, Pa., but attended the Tower Hill School in Delaware, was a two-time Delaware Field Hockey Player of the Year and also a member of the Under-19 and Under-16 U.S. national teams. "Nicole and Paige have experience playing with good teams in international competition," says Holmes-Winn. "They understand a competitive atmosphere and should be key contributors for us." Courtney Devlin, from Downingtown, Pa., is a midfielder with outstanding athletic ability. Micaela Vie Brock, from Manasquan, N.J., was a first-team All-Shore Conference selection as a senior. Sarah Yuki, from Los Gatos in Central California, scored 47 points as a junior and led her team to a 17-1-2 record as a senior. "I couldn't be happier with the quality of athlete, student and person joining us in this class," says Holmes-Winn. "We're anxious to begin working with them." THE SCHEDULE As usual, the Tigers will face a host of national-caliber non-conference opponents in addition to their always-challenging Ivy League schedule. A key stretch early in the season features back-to-back games against Connecticut, Sept. 12 on the road, and Maryland, Sept. 17 at home in what might be Princeton's biggest non-league home game of the season. The Tigers will look to avenge last year's NCAA tournament loss to Penn State when they travel to State College to face the Lions Sept. 28. "If you want to consider yourself one of the best teams in the country, you have to play the best teams in the country," Holmes-Winn says. "These are the games that can make a big difference in our season, and we have to be willing to challenge in those games." Princeton also faces Virginia of the Atlantic Coast Conference on the road Oct. 10, as well as William & Mary and Old Dominion of the Colonial Athletic Association on a weekend road trip in October. The regular season will begin with a home weekend as the Tigers face Northeastern Sept. 3 and Delaware Sept. 5. Princeton will also have a home non-conference weekend in early October, facing Boston University and Richmond Oct. 1 and 3. The Ivy League season begins on the road this year with a game at Yale Sept. 11. The Tigers will host Dartmouth, Brown, Harvard and Penn in Ivy League games at Class of 1952 Stadium this season. Princeton enters the season with a 31-game winning streak in league games. The Tigers' last loss in Ivy play came at Brown in October 1999, and Princeton has won 66 of its last 67 league games since the 1994 season. The regular season concludes with a game against the rival Quakers on Friday night, Nov. 5. The NCAA tournament begins the next Saturday, Nov. 13, and the 2004 national semifinals and finals are Nov. 19 and Nov. 21 at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C.