Murphy's OT Winner Gives Princeton Win Over Delaware

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October 3, 5PM

at Yale

New Haven, Conn.

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October 11, 12PM

at Dartmouth

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October 13, 3PM

at Northwestern

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October 17, 4PM

vs Cornell

Princeton, N.J.

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October 19, 12PM

vs Monmouth

Princeton, N.J.

Bridget Murphy wasn't going to let a little thing like a hot goalie, or another little thing like nearly two full overtime periods, get in the way of a win. Not after the first two games of the season. Not after the way this one played out.

A sprawling Murphy just got enough on a redirected ball in front of the cage to give No. 15 Princeton a thrilling 2-1 win over No. 19 Delaware on a night where there was a little bit of everything. The win came after Princeton had dropped a pair of 2-1 decisions to open the season last week, losing to No. 5 Louisville and No. 2 North Carolina, the latter in OT as well.

This game had a little bit, or a lot, of everything. It started nearly an hour later than its 5 pm scheduled time, and it didn't end until it was past 8.

THEIR TURN TO CELEBRATE
Princeton led 1-0 for nearly 40 minutes before the Blue Hens tied it on a corner with 1:07 to go. It wasn't just any corner. It wasn't even the first corner of the sequence. Or the second, third or fourth.

In fact, Princeton turned the Hens aside four times, getting one great defensive play after another. On the fifth time, Delaware finally evened it. If it reminded Princeton of the North Carolina game, there was a reason for that; UNC had tied that game late and then won it in the first overtime.

This time, both teams got first OT corners, and both goalies made huge saves. Princeton had the better of the second OT for the first seven minutes or so, but a Delaware counter led to what seemed like the game-winner. In fact, Delaware's players swarmed onto the field, and the stadium PA announced the victory. The officials, though, conferred and waived it off due to a dangerous play.

OUR TURN TO CELEBRATE
It took Princeton 23 seconds to get a corner after the non-goal and then five more to get a second corner. It was off of that one that Ottilie Sykes drilled a shot that was tipped by Liz Agatucci and rolled toward the goal line, where Murphy tapped it in. This time, Princeton celebrated cautiously, until the officials again conferred and said the goal counted.

PLAYER OF THE GAME
Liz Agatucci scored Princeton's first goal, tipping in a drive from Ottilie Sykes on a corner, and she then assisted on the game-winner. And that doesn't even scratch the surface of what her contribution to the win was.

Agatucci constantly stopped Delaware transition opportunities and regained possession for her team. She also defended in the circle on corners, making a huge impact on both ends of the field. She hardly came off the field, though she did hit the field quite a few times on diving efforts.

As for the runners-up …

WHAT THE BOX SCORE DOESN'T TELL YOU
Princeton started two freshmen in its first game (Ottilie Sykes, Ella Cashman). Princeton then started three freshmen in the second game (those two, plus Hope Delaney). Princeton then started four freshmen against Delaware (those three, plus Merle Broex).

Since Carla Tagliente and Dina Rizzo came to Princeton in 2016, the team has started four seniors in a game fewer than five times. What Princeton had never done before the game against Delaware was start four freshmen in the 7v7 overtime.

Cashman and Delaney never came out of the game, playing all 78 minutes. Sykes came out only for two minutes after getting a card late in the first OT. It was the first time all year she came out of a game.

WHAT ELSE THE BOX SCORE DOESN'T TELL YOU
Every healthy Princeton player played for the second straight game.

GREAT GOALIES
Delaware's Kylie Walbert and Princeton's Robyn Thompson were both great, especially in the overtimes. Thompson, the reigning Ivy Defensive Player of the Week, made seven more saves, including two on bullets late in the fourth and in the overtime.

UP NEXT
Princeton hosts No. 12 Rutgers Sunday at noon in its home opener at noon.

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