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Princeton Field Hockey Shuts Out Dartmouth in Ivy League Opener, 4-0
September 20, 2014 | Field Hockey
PRINCETON, N.J. – Juniors Teresa Benvenuti and Maddie Copeland combined for three goals and two assists as the 20th-ranked Princeton University field hockey team opened Ivy League play with a 4-0 victory over Dartmouth College on Bedford Field.
Netting just six goals in its first four games, the Princeton offense came to life on Saturday, putting three shots into the back of the Dartmouth net in the first 25 minutes before tacking on another score in the second half.
Improving to 26-7-2 all-time against the Big Green, the Tigers upped their record to 1-4 (1-0 Ivy League) on the season, while dropping their conference counterparts to 0-5 (0-1 Ivy League).
Having a hand in three of the team's tallies, Benvenuti finished with a goal and two assists, while Copeland notched goals in the 13th and 26th minutes, respectively. Cat Caro accounted for the Tigers' other score as the Orange and Black finished with a decisive 22-6 shot advantage and an 8-4 edge in penalty corners.
Setting the tone early, Princeton recorded the game's first four shots, with Allison Evans putting the first try on target just 3:10 after the opening whistle. Staking the home team to an early advantage, Benvenuti broke through at 7:54. Holding the ball in the right corner, the junior made a move toward the top of the circle before splitting a pair of defenders. Dribbling toward goal, Benvenuti slid a shot past Dartmouth goalie Ellen Meyer on the near post.
Less than five minutes, later, Benvenuti assisted on Copeland's first of the afternoon. Intercepting a pass on the right side, the midfielder took a quick restart after a Big Green foul. Playing a centering pass into the circle, Benvenuti found a charging Copeland, who poked the feed between Meyer's legs and into the cage before the goalkeeper could kick the ball out.
Looking to pad the Princeton cushion, Copeland put away her third of the season with just 9:56 remaining in the first half. Once again finding her way to the front of the net, the striker took a quick touch on a well-struck Caro pass from the right side. Batting the ball out of the air, Copeland lifted a shot over an oncoming Meyer and into the upper right corner of the Dartmouth cage.
With less than five minutes to go before the intermission, the visitors generated their first scoring chance of the contest, but Princeton goalie Anya Gersoff stopped a Jenna Schwenk redirection from point-blank range to keep the Big Green off the board.
Building on the team's momentum, Caro extended the Tigers' margin just over five minutes into the second period. Receiving a Benvenuti pass at the top of the circle, Caro took a step to her left before backhanding a shot into the far corner of the Dartmouth net.
Earning its first corner of the game at the 44:02 mark of the second half, Dartmouth put a pair of shots on goal down the stretch, but Gersoff turned away both tries to preserve the Tigers' first shutout of the season. Gersoff finished with three saves, while Meyer made six stops.
Princeton returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 21 at American University.