Princeton University Athletics
Field Hockey Faces Penn State in Home Opener
September 07, 2005 | Field Hockey
Sept. 7, 2005
Princeton, N.J. - The Princeton field hockey team plays its home opener later today when Penn State visits Class of 1952 Stadium at 6 p.m. Princeton (0-1) will look to rebound from a season-opening loss at American with a strong outing against the Nittany Lions (3-1).
Princeton opens its home schedule tonight against a familiar foe in Penn State. The teams have played in each of the past five seasons. While Penn State has won the last five meetings, all the games were decided by two goals or less, including a 1-0 overtime game last season. The Tigers and Nittany Lions have met a total of 22 times with Penn State holding a 19-3 edge in the series. Princeton is 2-7 in the series at home and last won in November of 1998. Princeton is 21-10-3 all-time in its home-openers and has won 11 of the last 14. Last season, Princeton fell to Northeastern 2-1 in the home opener.
Tonight marks the second game of the season for the Tigers. Princeton opened the campaign last Saturday at American and dropped a 4-1 decision to the Eagles. Senior Lauren Ehrlichman scored Princeton's lone goal on an assist from sophomore Paige Schmidt. Both players tallied 10 points a season ago and tied for second among returning players in scoring, two points behind senior Hillary Schmidt.
Penn State is 3-1 on the season. After dropping their season opener at Old Dominion, the Nittany Lions have reeled off wins at William and Mary and at home against Lock Haven and Connecticut. Natalie Berrena leads the team in scoring with two goals, while six others have contributed a single goal.
Four of Princeton's class of 10 freshmen started last Saturday's game and five saw action in the game. Candi Arner, Holly McGarvie, Sarah Reinprecht and Kristin Schwab all started their first collegiate game, while Elizabeth Williams subbed in later in the game. Princeton continues its homestand this weekend when it hosts Yale on Saturday and Connecticut on Sunday. Both games are at 12 noon. Princeton has won better than 80% (72-18) of its home games in its 10 seasons of playing at Class of 1952 Stadium. Princeton opens its 2005 schedule playing eight of its first 11 games at home, but finishes with five of the final six games on the road.