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No. 20 Princeton University Field Hockey Holds Off American University, 2-1
September 21, 2014 | Field Hockey
BOX SCORE
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
PRINCETON, N.J. – Cat Caro and Ryan McCarthy each netted a goal to lead the 20th-ranked Princeton University field hockey team to a 2-1 win over American University at Jacobs Field.
After starting the year 0-4, the Tigers picked up their second straight win, outscoring Dartmouth and American 6-1 over the weekend. Princeton is now 11-4 all-time against the Eagles, dropping their regional rivals to 5-3 on the year.
Winning the game's first penalty corner in the 10th minute, Kate Ferrara stopped a Hailey Reeves insert at the top of the circle. Putting a hard shot on target, Sydney Kirby forced Kate McBeath to make the contest's first save.
With just under 19 minutes to play in the first, American won consecutive corners, but Princeton junior goalie Anya Gersoff turned away a pair of Grace Wilson and Rebecca Treharne tries to keep the Eagles off the board.
Gaining possession on the left side of the circle with under five minutes to play in the first half, Caro lifted a backhanded shot over the cage. Moments later, Caro dribbled it up the middle of the field before sliding a pass to Maddie Copeland on the left post. Looking to goal, the junior slapped it toward the cage, but the ensuing shot veered wide, hitting the side of the netting.
Continuing to apply pressure, Princeton broke through in the 33rd minute. Corralling a loose ball off the stick of Treharne, Stephanie Goldberg centered a pass to an oncoming Caro. Finding open space in the middle of the circle, the sophomore hammered a low shot past McBeath for her second goal in as many games.
Carrying their momentum into the second period, the Tigers doubled their lead just 2:35 after the restart. Stopping another Reeves insert, Ferrara looked to once again set up Kirby. Passing up on the shot, the senior tri-captain slid a pass to her left. Lining up a long shot from the edge of the circle, McCarthy ripped it past McBeath for her second of the season.
Unable to gain traction against the Princeton defense for the majority of the second half, American won a penalty corner with less than two minutes remaining in regulation. Playing the insert to the top of the circle, the Eagles got it to Katie Rothenhoefer, who put American's first shot of the half into the back corner of the Princeton cage. Pushing for an equalizer, American tried to maintain possession, but the Tigers regained control over the final minute to preserve to lead.
Princeton finished with a 16-5 shot advantage with both teams earning four penalty corners. Gersoff made three saves for the Tigers in net, while McBeath recorded five stops.
The Orange and Black return to action on Sept. 27 at Yale.