Princeton University
Trinity (Howe Cup Semis)
Players Mentioned
Shorthanded Women's Squash Nearly Shocks No. 1 Trinity At Howe Cup
February 25, 2006 | Women's Squash
Feb. 25, 2006
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. - Despite playing shorthanded without its No. 1 player, Claire Rein-Weston, the Princeton women's squash team put forth a gutsy effort in a 5-4 semifinal loss against top-ranked Trinity Saturday afternoon at Cambridge, Mass. Princeton, which has used terrific depth to score at the bottom of its lineup, took spots 6 through 9, but the Bantams claimed each of the top five to claim the match and a spot in the finals.
Princeton will play Sunday afternoon for third place against the loser of the second semifinal between Harvard and Yale. Princeton fell to both teams during the regular season.
In the first session of matches, Princeton took an improbable 2-1 lead. The loss of Rein-Weston forced each player up one spot, meaning Maggie O'Toole moved into the varsity lineup from the No. 10 spot. She had previously held the No. 11 spot, but the earlier loss to No. 9 Christina Fast had already moved Aly Brady into the varsity lineup. O'Toole didn't show any freshman nerves, topping Margot Kearney 9-4, 9-1, 9-6.
"Maggie did a great job and played really solid squash," head coach Gail Ramsay said. "She played a senior, so it was a very exciting victory."
Gen Lessard fell in three games at No. 3, but Princeton managed to grab the match lead with a great effort from Margaret Kent at No. 6. She split a pair of tight games against Anna Detter to open the match, winning the first one 10-9 and falling 9-7 in the second. Kent came back strong in the third game with a 9-3 win, and claimed the match with a 9-6 win in the fourth game. "That was the match of the year for Margaret," Ramsay said. "She really played an incredible attacking game."
Trinity's Larissa Stephenson claimed a 9-6, 9-5, 10-9 win at No.2 to even the match back at 2-2. Both matches at No. 5 and No. 8 went four games, with each team claiming one apiece. Isa Restrepo took a 9-4, 6-9, 9-6, 9-2 decision at No. 5 for Trinity's third win, but Brady came right back at No. 8 with a clutch third- and fourth-game effort. After splitting the first two games, Brady buckled down for 9-2 and 9-3 wins to clinch the match.
"Aly was nervous when she went out, but she focused in and channelled that nicely," Ramsay said. "She really kept the pressure on and attacked the back corners, and it opened up the front court for her."
Both teams had to feel hopeful going into the final session. While Trinity is typically strong in the higher spots, the Tigers felt very good with Carly Grabowski going out at No. 7. The sophomore followed up her perfect dual meet season with a 9-2, 9-5, 9-3 win, putting Princeton one match away from a stunning berth in the final.
Unfortunately, the Bantam strength at the top of the lineup was too much for Princeton. Ashley Clackson topped Lena Neufeld 9-0, 9-3, 9-5 at the No. 4 spot, and Vaidehi Reddy clinched the match at No. 1 by topping Casey Riley 9-2, 9-6, 9-4.
Despite the loss, head coach Gail Ramsay has to feel good about the way her team came together late in the season. The Tigers battled each of the top three teams tough and won't lose a single starter next season.
Trinity 5, Princeton 4
1 Vaidehi Reddy (T) d. Casey Riley 9-2 9-6 9-4
2 Larissa Stephenson (T) d. Ali Pearson 9-6 9-5 10-9
3 Lauren Polonich (T) d. Gen Lessard 9-1 9-0 9-1
4 Ashley Clackson (T) d. Lena Neufeld 9-0 9-3 9-5
5 Isa Restrepo (T) d. Marilla Hiltz 9-4 6-9 9-6 9-2
6 Margaret Kent (P) d. Anna Detter 10-9 7-9 9-3 9-6
7 Carly Grabowsk (P) d. Fernanda Rocha 9-2 9-5 9-3
8 Aly Brady (P) d. Siobhan Knight 6-9 4-9 9-2 9-3
9 Maggie O'Toole (P) d. Margot Kearney 9-4 9-1 9-6