Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Field Hockey Opens Home Slate Against William & Mary and Richmond
September 11, 2009 | Field Hockey
GAMETIME: Sat, Sept. 12 at 12 noon
2009 RECORDS: Princeton (2-0, 0-0 Ivy); William & Mary (3-1, 0-0 CAA)
SERIES RECORD: Princeton leads 4-3, is 2-1 at home
LAST MEETING: Princeton won 4-0 on Sept. 6, 2008 at William & Mary
STREAK: Princeton won the last three meetings
Richmond vs. No. 4 Princeton
GAMETIME: Sunday, Sept. 12 at 12 noon
2009 RECORDS: Princeton (2-0, 0-0 Ivy); Richmond (2-2, 0-0 A10)
SERIES RECORD: Princeton leads 5-2, is 2-1 at home
LAST MEETING: Princeton won 2-1 on Sept. 5, 2008 at Richmond
STREAK: Princeton won the last two meetings
PRINCETON (9/11/09) -- The fourth-ranked Princeton field hockey team returns to action this weekend with a pair of home games against William & Mary and Richmond. The Tigers opened the 2009 campaign one weekend away with a pair of overtime wins against Ohio State and Syracuse.
Princeton came from behind to win both games last weekend, trailing Ohio State 3-1 at halftime and 4-3 with 10 minutes left, and trailing Syracuse 2-1 with 10 minutes remaining, before rallying to win both games. The wins helped move the Tigers up three spots in the NFHCA national coaches poll from its preseason ranking of seventh.
Princeton was led over the weekend offensively by sophomore Kathleen Sharkey, who was named the Ivy League Player of the Week following her three-goal performance in the win over Ohio State. Sharkey was the only Tiger to score more than once as five other Tigers found the back of the net, including first-time scorers in sophomores Erin Jennings and Rachel Neufeld and freshmen Julia Reinprecht and Michelle Cesan. Cesan also had an assist and became the year's first Ivy League Rookie of the Week as all three of her points came in the Syracuse win. Sophomore Katie Reinprecht also scored for the Tigers last weekend and senior Kaitlin Donovan and junior Alexandra Douwes added assists.
Princeton, which entered the season having lost seven starters from last year's Ivy League championship winning team, had six first-time starters in its lineup for the season opener against Ohio State, and started the same lineup in the second game aside from a change in starting goalkeeper. In all, 15 Tigers saw action over the course of the opening weekend.
Princeton will look to continue its strong start to the season this weekend against William & Mary and Richmond, the teams that the Tigers opened the 2008 season against. Princeton starts the weekend on Saturday against the Tribe in the eighth meeting between the schools. Princeton leads the all-time series 4-3 and has a 2-1 series edge at home. The Tigers have won the last three games in the series, including a 4-0 win last season in Williamsburg. Senior Christina Bortz had a goal and an assist in the win and junior goalkeeper Jennifer King made six saves for the shutout.
William & Mary is 3-1 this season. The Tribe fell to Boston College in their season opener, but have reeled off wins against Vermont, Rutgers and Appalacian State since. The Tribe scored five goals in each of its last two games and is led offensively by Erica Eng's three goals, two assists and eight points.
The Tigers complete the weekend against Richmond in the eighth meeting with the Spiders. Princeton holds a 5-2 series edge, is 2-1 in games at home and has won the last two games in the series. Last season the Tigers won 2-1 at Richmond in the season opener. Katie Reinprecht scored in the win and King made four saves as Princeton outshot the Spiders 21-7.
Richmond enters the weekend at 2-2 and will play Friday night at Drexel. The Spiders were swept to open the season by American and Indiana, then swept Columbia and Hofstra to get back to .500 on the season. Sarah Blythe-Wood leads the Spiders with five goals and 12 points.