Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
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Neufeld's Overtime Goal Lifts Princeton to 3-2 Win at Syracuse
September 06, 2009 | Field Hockey
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (9/6/09) -- For the second time in as many days, the seventh-ranked Princeton field hockey team scored first, tied the game in the closing minutes, and went on to win in overtime. This time the Tigers upended third-ranked Syracuse 3-2 to open the season 2-0 and avenge a loss to the Orange in last year's NCAA Quarterfinals.
Sophomore Rachel Neufeld scored the game winner for the Tigers in overtime as she put the rebound of sophomore Kathleen Sharkey's drive into the Syracuse cage. For Neufeld, it was a perfect time to net the first goal of her collegiate career.
Princeton opened the scoring in the game's eighth minute when sophomore Katie Reinprecht scored her first goal of the season off a direct corner with assists from freshman Michelle Cesan and junior Alexandra Douwes, the first collegiate points for both players.
Princeton held the lead throughout the first half, outshooting Syracuse 9-6 in the first 35 minutes of action. The Tigers started the second half strong with two corners and five shots in the first seven minutes of action.
Princeton's surge forced Syracuse to utilize its timeout and the Orange used it to regroup and responded with two goals in a five-minute span to go ahead 2-1. Both goals came off corners as Maggie Belfort evened the score in the 48th minute and then put the Orange ahead in the 53rd.
The Orange held the lead for 10 minutes before Princeton pressured in the game's final 10 minutes and drew even on Cesan's first collegiate goal. The Tigers had possession in the Syracuse end and Cesan was able to score on the rebound of a Sharkey shot that Orange goalkeeper Leann Stiver had stopped.
The game went to overtime and Princeton had to withstand Syracuse pressure for the first seven minutes before being able to counter and score. The Orange drew three corners and took eight shots in the extra session, but three of junior goalkeeper Jennifer King's 10 saves held Syracuse off the board and allowed the Tigers to counter and score the game winner at the other end of the field.
Princeton outshot Syracuse 20-19 in the win, holding a 9-6 edge in both the first and second halfs. Syracuse held a 7-2 shots edge in overtime. Both teams had eight corners.
The Tigers improved to 2-0 to start the season with a pair of wins over ranked opponents in Syracuse and Ohio State. Going back to last season, the Tigers have played three straight overtime games. The one last season also came against Syracuse, but the Orange won that game 3-2 in the NCAA quarterfinals to advance to the NCAA final four.
After two games on the road to open the season, the Tigers begin their home schedule next weekend hosting William & Mary on Saturday and Richmond on Sunday.