Another 2-1 Game, Another Two OTs, As Princeton Falls To Rutgers

Sunday, September 10

Princeton, N.J.

12:00 PM

Princeton University

(1-3)

Rutgers

(6-0)

Rutgers

Princeton

Sam Davidson controls the ball in Princeton's 2-1 overtime loss to Rutgers.

Photo by: Shelley M. Szwast

Another 2-1 Game, Another Two OTs, As Princeton Falls To Rutgers

September 10, 2023 | Field Hockey

Box Score

Forget wins and losses, and rankings, for that matter. Those will all sort themselves out as the season goes along.

To know what you need to know about the Princeton field hockey team, all you had to was see what the Tigers did shortly after play resumed against Rutgers Sunday afternoon after a 26-minute delay to tend to injured senior goalie/captain Robyn Thompson.

They scored. That's not what teams who lack resilience do, though these Tigers obviously have no shortage of that commodity, what with all of the close games, overtimes and injuries — including a season-ending one to another senior captain, Grace Schulze, a week ago — that they have had to deal with so far.

In the end, it was No. 12 Rutgers 2, No. 15 Princeton 1, on a Puck Winters goal with 6:13 left in the second overtime. The loss was Princeton's third one-goal loss this season in four games, against No. 2 North Carolina, No. 5 Louisville and now No. 12 Rutgers.

PLAY OF THE GAME
The game had been scoreless into the third quarter, though Rutgers had a big advantage in possession time. The Scarlet Knights finally broke through on a goal from Bridy Molyneaux, who slapped in a loose ball that popped up in the air when Noelle Leaf's tipped the ball and then collided with Thompson. The officials reviewed the call and said the goal stood, all while Thompson was still on the ground.

She'd be there for a total of 26 minutes, which is when the game restarted. Would Princeton have an answer? Or would the toll of a two-overtime game Friday night at Delaware and the loss of the team's defensive leader be too much to overcome?

To that point, Princeton did not have a shot. Just over three minutes after the Molyneaux goal, though, Princeton drew a corner, and Liz Agatucci made it count, as she tipped in a drive from Ottilie Sykes to even it at 1-1.

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Princeton's defense was under pressure all game, and the pressure became even greater once Thompson went out and freshman Olivia Caponiti came on for the first time in her career. You can take your pick between Ottilie Sykes and Helena Große as to who was the best on the back line for the Tigers.

WHAT THE BOX SCORE DOESN'T TELL YOU
After starting four freshmen in the overtime against Delaware Friday night, a first for a Carla Tagliente/Dina Rizzo-coached Princeton team, the Tigers started five when the game against Rutgers went to OT. This time, it was Merle Broex, Ella Hampson, Ottilie Sykes and Hope Delaney, who all started the OT against Delaware, and goalie Olivia Caponiti.

The game-winning goal came on a penalty corner, one that Caponiti had no chance at. The second OT only happened, though, because of two saves Caponiti made in the first OT.

WHAT ELSE THE BOX SCORE DOESN'T TELL YOU
Princeton has played four 2-1 games this season in four outings. At no point of any of those four games has either Princeton or one of its opponents had more than a one-goal lead.

NEXT UP
Princeton, who has played three straight overtime games, is at Maryland Thursday, a team against whom the last five games in the series went to overtime.