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Copeland Nets Hat-Trick as Field Hockey Cruises Past American, 5-1
September 20, 2015 | Field Hockey
BOX SCORE
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS
PRINCETON, N.J. – Maddie Copeland turned in her first career hat-trick to lead the Princeton University field hockey team to a decisive 5-1 win over American University at Bedford Field.
Improving to 2-3 on the season and 12-4 all-time against the Eagles (5-3), Princeton will head south to face perennial power No. 10 Maryland on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Wasting little time getting on the board, the Tigers netted their first goal of the game on a penalty corner in the 13th minute. Receiving the insert from Sophia Tornetta, Elise Wong stopped it for Hailey Reeves, who powered a hard shot into the left side of the American cage.
In the 29th minute Princeton took advantage of another penalty corner to double its lead. Holding the ball at the top of the circle, Teresa Benvenuti passed up on a shot and instead played it toward the right post. Making a run toward the cage, Nicole Catalino tipped home the Tigers' second tally at 28:43.
Building on the Princeton momentum early in the second half, Copeland netted her first of the afternoon just 1:38 after the restart. Dribbling the ball into the circle, the senior striker ripped a low shot into the left corner to make it 3-0. Nine minutes later, Copeland redirected an Elizabeth George shot past American goalie Kate McBeath to up margin to four.
Taking advantage of their best scoring opportunity of the day, the Eagles broke through in the 55th minute. Jess Davis got the play started by sending a long outlet to Sophia Crawshay. Tipping the pass around a Princeton defender, Crawshay took a couple of quick touches before firing a hard shot into the bottom left corner of the Tiger cage.
Capping off the scoring in the 70th minute, George once again linked up with Copeland for the Orange and Black's fifth goal. Coming up the right side, George fed a pass into the middle of the circle toward Copeland. With McBeath looking to cut off the angle, Copeland backhanded a shot up and over the charging keeper at 69:03.
Princeton finished with an 11-5 shot advantage and a 7-2 edge in penalty corners. McBeath recorded a pair of saves for American, while Princeton netminder Anya Gersoff needed to make just one stop in the win.