PRINCETON, N.J. -- The Yale field hockey team has had some heartbreakingly close losses at Ivy League rival Princeton of late, and Friday's game at Bedford Field wound up being an unfortunate addition to that list. A heroic 13 save effort from sophomore goalkeeper
Luanna Summer gave the Bulldogs a chance, but the No. 17 ranked Tigers ultimately secured a 3-1 win.
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In its last two games at Princeton, Yale had fallen 4-3 in overtime (2019) and 3-2 on a goal with time expired (2017). Friday's game did not start auspiciously for the Bulldogs, but it ultimately turned out to be another battle.Â
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Princeton (4-5, 2-0 Ivy League) scored 57 seconds into the game, with midfielder Sammy Popper notching her third goal of the year. But after that Summer finished the half strong with seven saves, including several spectacular ones.Â
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Yale (4-4, 1-1 Ivy League) tied the game less than four minutes into the second quarter on a penalty corner goal by junior midfielder
Théodora Dillman, assisted by senior back
Sarah King as the stick stopper and senior midfielder
Imogen Davies as the inserter.
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Princeton went back ahead on another goal by Popper, this one in the final minute of the first half. The Bulldogs kept within striking distance with a strong third quarter in which they limited the Tigers to three shots, one corner and no goals. But Princeton struck quickly in the fourth quarter, getting a goal from forward Grace Schulze at 48:34. The Tigers then held on for the win, as goalie Robyn Thompson finished with four saves.
Yale limited the Tigers to five shots and one corner in the second half.
"Princeton's outlet was really good to start," said
Pam Stuper, Yale's Caroline Ruth Thompson '02 Head Coach of Field Hockey. "We started making adjustments, and those changes were the difference. We kept the ball in front of us, and that allowed us an opportunity to get back in the game. I'm really proud of the second half in particular."
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All four of Yale's losses this season have been by either one goal or two. The Bulldogs return to action Sunday at 2:00 p.m. at Quinnipiac.
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