Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Field Hockey Visits American on Sunday
October 09, 2009 | Field Hockey
GAMETIME: Sunday, Oct. 11 at 2 p.m.
2009 RECORDS: Princeton (9-2, 3-0 Ivy); American (5-5, 1-0 Patriot)
RANKINGS: Princeton (Poll: T-4, RPI: 3); American (Poll RV: RPI: 30)
SERIES RECORD: Princeton leads 8-2, is 3-2 at American
LAST MEETING: Princeton won 5-2 on Nov. 2, 2008 in Princeton
STREAK: Princeton won the last meeting
MULTIMEDIA: Video (on American's website)
PRINCETON (10/9/09) - The fourth-ranked Princeton field hockey team visits American on Sunday afternoon looking to get back in the win column following Wednesday's 3-2 overtime loss at top-ranked Maryland.
Princeton gave Maryland all that it could handle on Wednesday, but in the end the top-ranked and defending National Champion Terps were able to score a second-half goal to force overtime and score the game winner in the extra session. Princeton stymied Maryland's potent offense, limiting an offense that was averaging well over five goals per game to just a pair in regulation.
The Tigers took leads of 1-0 and 2-1 in the first half as sophomore Kathleen Sharkey and freshman Julia Reinprecht, the current Ivy League Player and Rookie of the Week, tallied goals for the Tigers. In the Princeton goal, junior Jennifer King made 11 saves, setting a new career high for the goalkeeper.
The Tigers remain tied for fourth in the latest NFHCA Coaches Poll, tied with Wake Forest. Princeton is now 3-1 against ranked teams this season. Princeton stayed at No. 3 in the RPI despite the loss. American, Sunday's opponent for the Tigers, is the third team receiving votes in the poll, equating to a ranking of 23rd.
All eight Ivy League teams are taking a break from league competition this weekend. All eight teams are in action, but are playing non-league games. The Ivy schedule resumes next weekend with a full slate of league games. Princeton remains atop the standings as the lone 3-0 team. There are three teams currently a game back at 2-1 in Ivy play.
The Tigers meet American, the six-time defending Patriot League champion; on Sunday afternoon in Washington, D.C. Princeton and American have split their last four meetings with each team winning its two home games in the span. Last season the Tigers topped American 5-2 in Princeton in early November. Five Tigers scored in the win as Princeton came back from a 2-1 halftime deficit to win 5-2. Senior Christina Bortz had the game winner and Sharkey added an insurance goal moments later.
American is 5-5 overall and 1-0 in the Patriot League. The Eagles host Colgate on Saturday afternoon prior to hosting the Tigers on Sunday. American snapped a three-game skid last weekend with a 5-0 win in its Patriot League opener at Holy Cross. The Eagles had lost its previous three contests to James Madison, Wake Forest and Maryland. American's Christine Fingerhuth and Savannah Graybill are tied for the team lead with five goals and 12 points.
Princeton and American have faced three common opponents and have faired the same against each, defeating Richmond and Penn State, and falling to Maryland.
| Princeton | American | |
| Maryland | A: L 2-3 (ot) | H: L 0-3 |
| Penn State | H: W 3-0 | N: W 3-1 |
| Richmond | H W 4-1 | A: W 2-1 |