Princeton Hands Field Hockey 4th Ivy Loss

The Harvard's field hockey entire season could be epitomized by one game. Saturday at Cumnock field, the team was again defeated. This time, however, it took the defending Ivy champions, Princeton (10-3, 5-0 Ivy) to upend the Crimson 2-1.

The mythical character Sisyphus, was commanded to push a large boulder up a hill. Whenever he seemed to reach the top, the boulder would come crashing down the hill and thus he never reached his salvation. Similarly, the Crimson (4-9, 0-4) has repeatedly come so close to victory, but each time it has been unable to grasp the really big, season making wins.

"This game exemplifies our season," Harvard coach Sue Caples said. "We played well, had a lot of shots, controlled the game and just don't have the results."

Since it was the last home game for seniors Carrie Shumway, Jessica Milhollin and Maureen O'Brien, the underclassmen made a banner which read, "Carrie, Jessica, and Mo--thanks for four great years. Kill Princeton!"

This seemed to inspire the Crimson from the beginning. After dominating the first ten minutes of play, freshman forward Judy Collins broke through the Princeton defense to give Harvard a 1-0 lead.

"We came out a little stronger and we came up with the ball," Caples said. "Princeton sort of sat and watched and we just walked right in."

It had appeared that after only losing 3-1 to No. 13 Boston College on Wednesday, Harvard was beginning to gather momentum. Outshooting the Eagles 19-9 in the game, including a 12-3 advantage on the corners, the Crimson sought to rebound with a much-needed win over Ivy nemesis Princeton.

"All the goals that B.C. scored happened in a 6-to-8 minute period where we just lost our focus," Caples said "But I think we are really playing with confidence."

Harvard kept the momentum for the next 15 minutes, but the Tigers roared back. With only 10 minutes remaining in the half, Princeton senior back Pam Cosse beat Milhollin, Harvard's goalie, from a corner shot to tie the score at one. Princeton continued the pressure--with less than 30 seconds left in the half, Milhollin was forced to come out of the cage and clear another dangerous Princeton attack.

Princeton's major threat, senior forward Lisa Rebane, who leads the Ivy league in scoring with 32 points, was successfully shut down throughout the match. But a well-balanced Tiger attack proved too strong.

"We played a great game," Milhollin said. "If we're going to lose, it should be against a great team like Princeton."

The second half was a frustrating repeat for the Crimson. After missing scoring opportunities on three consecutive corners, Princeton regained possession and broke down field. After a flurry of heavy pressure, Tiger freshman Kirsty Hale was finally able to beat a lunging Milhollin for what proved to be a definitive 2-1 lead.

Both Harvard and Princeton had 22 shots on net, but Princeton was able to steal the victory.

"It's the same old story--we're not capitalizing on our chances," junior defender Mary Eileen Duffy said. "We're not putting the ball in the goal."

Left with another loss and no answers, Harvard must again rebound before their next challenge on Wednesday, the Northeastern Huskies. Princeton  2 Harvard  1

PRINCETON, 2-1 at Cumnock Field Princeton  1  1  1 Clarkson  1  0  0

First Half

Har--Collins 3 (unassitsted) 31:37.

Prin--Cosse (Kolly, Hale) 10:56.

Second Half

Prin--Hale (Rebane) 13:48.

Saves: Har--Milhollin 14; Prin--Hill 11.

PRINCETON, 2-1 at Cumnock Field Princeton  1  1  1 Clarkson  1  0  0

First Half

Har--Collins 3 (unassitsted) 31:37.

Prin--Cosse (Kolly, Hale) 10:56.

Second Half

Prin--Hale (Rebane) 13:48.

Saves: Har--Milhollin 14; Prin--Hill 11.

First Half

Har--Collins 3 (unassitsted) 31:37.

Prin--Cosse (Kolly, Hale) 10:56.

Second Half

Prin--Hale (Rebane) 13:48.

Saves: Har--Milhollin 14; Prin--Hill 11.