Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Cornell
Paige Schmidt Scores Twice as Field Hockey Downs Cornell 2-1
September 30, 2005 | Field Hockey
Sept. 30, 2005
Box Score
Princeton, N.J. - Sophomore Paige Schmidt scored twice in the game's first 17 minutes and the Tigers held on from there as the Princeton field hockey team took over sole possession of first-pace in the Ivy League with a 2-1 win over Cornell on Friday night at Class of 1952 Stadium. Princeton is now 5-4 overall and 4-0 in the Ivy League.
Both teams entered the game with identical 3-0 records in league play. After tonight Princeton is now all alone atop the standings, while Cornell at 3-1 is one of four teams with one loss.
After two early shots and penalty corners for Cornell, Princeton began to come on and move play to the Cornell end of the field. After three failed corner opportunities, the Tigers cashed in on one to take a 1-0 lead at the 8:14 mark. Senior Hillary Schmidt played the ball in to her sister Paige Schmidt on the near side. Schmidt stopped the ball and fired a shot that beat Cornell goalkeeper Lizzie Goldblatt.
Princeton continued to pressure and came up with another goal off a corner eight minutes later. This time after Hillary Schmidt played the ball in, sophomore Nicole Ng stopped it and Paige Schmidt faked a shot. She then maneuvered around the top of the arc, before blasting a corner into the upper far corner of the goal. The tally was her second of the game and fourth of the season. The four goals, combined with four assists, give her 12 points, which also leads the team. From there Princeton held a 2-0 lead through the end of the first half. The Tigers had several chances, notching 12 shots in the game and having 16 corners but could not push across another goal.
Cornell made the game interesting at 61:32. After a rush downfield, Lizzie Auer followed up the rebound of a shot she took and lofted it over Princeton goalkeeper Allison Nemeth. Nemeth finished the game with two saves for her third consecutive win. Goldblatt made three saves for Cornell. Cornell had a few chances late, but could never get a clean shot off and Princeton came away victorious.
Princeton returns to action on Sunday afternoon at 12 p.m. when the Tigers host Villanova at Class of 1952 Stadium.