Princeton University Athletics
Late Tally Ends Thriller, Sends Women's Hockey To ECAC Semis, Record Book
March 04, 2006 | Women's Ice Hockey
March 4, 2006
Box Score
PRINCETON - Jeff Kampersal has sung the praises of his senior class throughout the 2005-06 season, so it's no surprise that one member of that group sent the second-seeded Princeton women's hockey team into both the ECACHL semifinals and the record books. Sarah Butsch's late goal ended a thrilling 5-4 Princeton win over a gutsy Colgate squad in front of a loud and excited crowd at Baker Rink.
Princeton, which had held a 4-1 lead after a second-period score by Brittany Salmon, watched a Colgate squad with its back against the wall come out swinging with three straight goals. A power-play goal by Kara Leene 6:09 into the final period evened the score at 4-4 and set up a tense final period of action.
Both teams had near scoring opportunities, but Princeton would ultimately capitalize late in the period. Salmon sent a pass to Kim Pearce, who was magnificent with three assists and a goal in the game. Pearce skated behind the net and centered a pass to Butsch, who stood on the doorstep. The senior secured the pass and found an opening to the high rightside of Colgate goaltender Brook Wheeler.
"Butschy has been Miss Clutch for us her whole career," Kampersal said. "The end of the season is always bittersweet for me, because I have to say goodbye to a great class. This is a special senior class, and they won more games than any other senior class."
Butsch and her fellow classmates led a 2005-06 team to 21 wins, a program record. They aren't interested in resting on those laurels, though; Princeton will head to St. Lawrence next weekend for the ECACHL Frozen Four, where it will play Brown in one semifinal game. Princeton split a pair of one-goal games with Brown, losing 4-3 in Providence and winning 3-2 two weeks ago in Princeton. That game was part of the current nine-game win streak, a surge that Colgate nearly ended Saturday. The Raiders came out on a mission and opened the scoring on a power-play goal from Ashley Johnston 5:01 into the game. She fired a rebound to the top right corner of the net, beating Princeton goaltender Roxanne Gaudiel, who ended the game with 20 saves.
Princeton scored the next four goals, beginning with the 25th goal of the season by freshman Annie Greenwood. She took a power-play pass from Laura Watt and put a shot over the right pad of Wheeler to tie the score at 1-1, which would be the score at the end of the first period.
Pierce gave Princeton its first lead 1:35 into the second period, deflecting a shot from Chrissi Norwich into the goal. She then set up Greenwood for a blast that Wheeler stopped, but the ensuing rebound was knocked in by Marykate Oakley 4:27 into the period for a 3-1 lead.
By the time Salmon scored off a pass from Pierce midway through the period, it looked like a done deal that Princeton would be heading to St. Lawrence next weekend. Colgate had other plans.
"This game was actually a blessing in disguise for us," Kampersal said. "They came at us really hard. They're a well-coached team, and we had to deal with some adversity in that third period."
Colgate entered the third period down only 4-2 after a power-play goal by Leene, who sent a blast through traffic and past Gaudiel. Princeton escaped further trouble by fighting off a 5-on-3 power play, but Allison Paiano scored early in the third period to make it a one-goal game.
Leene struck again on a later power play, deflecting a shot from Mallory Johnston past Gaudiel to even the score. The goal ignited both the Colgate bench and a large group of Raiders supporters, and the momentum carried through for a few minutes before Princeton settled back into their game. The Tiger defense kept Colgate from taking the lead, and eventually those efforts would be rewarded by Butsch's huge goal.
The other ECACHL semifinal will be determined Sunday. Top-seeded St. Lawrence has already advanced and will play either Harvard or Clarkson. GoPrincetonTigers.com will have comprehensive semifinal coverage during the week.