Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Delaware
Players Mentioned
Field Hockey Drops Double Overtime Decision to Delaware, 2-1
October 11, 2014 | Field Hockey
BOX SCORE
PRINCETON, N.J. – For the second time in as many games, the Princeton University field hockey team suffered a heartbreaking defeat in double overtime, falling to the University of Delaware on Bedford Field, 2-1.
Getting behind the Tiger defense just 41 seconds into the second extra session, Esmee Peet caught up to a Michaela Patzner through-ball in the middle of the circle before lifting a high shot into the Princeton cage. Improving to 8-5 on the season, the Blue Hens evened their all-time record against the Orange and Black to 12-12-3 while remaining unbeaten against the Tigers in overtime (3-0-2).
Controlling much of the possession in the early going, Princeton registered four of the game's first five shots. Just over 10 minutes after the opening whistle, the Tigers struck first, with Maddie Copeland notching her sixth goal of the season. Getting the play started, Cat Caro found the striker with a long hit from the right side. Receiving the pass in the middle of the circle, Copeland snuck one past Delaware goalkeeper Emmeline Oltmans at 10:55.
Earning a pair of penalty corners and putting three shots on goal in the final three-plus minutes of the half, Delaware pushed for an equalizer early in the second. Coming forward in the 49th minute, Meghan Winesett tested Tiger goalie Anya Gersoff with a quick shot from close range before sending the rebound wide of the right post.
Maintaining possession in the attacking third, the Blue Hens earned a penalty corner in the 52nd minute. Playing the insert to the top of the circle, Delaware set up a long shot for Peet. Carving out space in front of the cage, Allie Mikelson got a stick on the oncoming try, redirecting it past Gersoff at 51:39 to pull the visitors even.
Still tied with just over 11 minutes remaining in regulation, Copeland carried it up the left side. Playing it into the circle, Copeland almost connected with Ryan McCarthy on the backpost, but the freshman couldn't get a stick on the pass to push it toward net. With under three minutes to go, Delaware's Taylor Lister found open space on the left side, but Gersoff quickly cut off the angle, forcing a shot high and over the crossbar as the game headed into overtime.
Earning a penalty corner just over a minute into the first extra session, Caro put a hard shot on target that forced an Oltmans save. Winning a penalty corner of its own, Delaware got it to Peet, who tested Gersoff with a shot toward the left post. With under seven minutes to play in the first OT, Lister broke out of Delaware's defensive zone, racing up the left side. In alone on Gersoff, the Blue Hens looked to be in prime position to record the game winner, but the Tiger netminder came off her line to quell the threat at the edge of the circle.
Wasting little time getting on the board in the second overtime, Delaware came up with the sudden victory goal just 41 seconds after the restart. Sneaking behind the Princeton defense, Peet corralled a Patzner pass before lifting it over Gersoff and into the Tiger cage at 85:41.
Outshot 9-4 in the first 35 minutes, Delaware would finish with a 17-15 shot advantage. Gersoff made seven stops in the loss, while Oltmans had seven saves.
Princeton returns to action on Wednesday, Oct. 15 against No. 2 University of Maryland.