PU women’s hockey riding past success

Tigers build on Frozen Four trip

By: Justin Feil
   The Princeton University women’s ice hockey team returned this season with a new confidence it never had before.
   The Tigers know just what it takes to reach the NCAA Frozen Four.
   For the first time in program history, the Tigers were able to advance as one of the final four women’s ice hockey teams in the country. A semifinal loss to Minnesota was more than an ending to last year. It serves in a way as the starting point to this season.
   "We know what it takes to win," said PU co-captain Kim Pearce. "We know how we have to play in those big games. Even games in the beginning of the season, we need to win. In the end, those games will matter for playoffs and rankings. That’s the one thing we know from last year — everything counts."
   The Tigers are off to a perfect start in terms of record at 6-0-2, even if they know they could be playing better. Princeton will play at Cornell 7 p.m. tonight and at Colgate 4 p.m. Saturday as they look to continue to improve.
   "I think in general we’re still trying to find our identity," said PU head coach Jeff Kampersal. "We had a team meeting and we talked about it. We started off well, but I still feel like it’s our first game every game. We haven’t strung together 60 minutes yet. Our power play is not where it needs to be. Little combinations like that we’re still working on. Our chemistry is not clicking full throttle. Every once in while, there are flashes of brilliance. But then we plod around. We play tough games on the road this weekend. It’ll be a test for us.
   "The schedule will get tougher," he added. "Playing Boston College off the bat, they have an unbelievable team with a lot of skill and a lot of energy. That was a real eye opener playing from scratch. It was our first game and they had five or six in. To pull out tie, it wasn’t ideal because we didn’t win. But it was a decent tie. We have Cornell, Colgate and Harvard and Dartmouth coming up so our road is not getting any easier."
   Last year, Princeton handled Cornell by a combined 12-2, but had a tougher time with Colgate. After a solid win at home, Princeton won by a goal on the road and then swept the Red Raiders in the ECAC playoffs, the last game again decided by one goal.
   "It’s always hard going up for Cornell-Colgate," Pearce said. "They work hard. We’ve had some really close games with them, especially Colgate. We know it’s going to be a hard weekend. We have to bring our best game possible. They work extremely hard. We have to make sure we work hard for 60 minutes. We’ve had close games with them in the past.
   "The main difference I see every year is the entire league is getting stronger and stronger," she added. "There are no easy games. I don’t see other teams gunning for us. Every game we play, we can’t take anyone lightly because the league is so much better."
   Things aren’t any easier for the Tigers as a returning final four member. Teams know the Tigers are good. Princeton, too, expects to be a good team this year again after the example set last year.
   "What made it such a special team was that our seniors were unbelievable," Pearce said. "They dedicated so much to the team. That played a big part in how we got that far. On paper, it’s hard to say how we compare. As seniors, we know that played a huge part in why we did as well as we did.
   "I don’t think it’s that much pressure," she added of being a senior this year. "We know what it’s like to have a team with good chemistry. We learned some of that last year. This year, we’re a close group of girls."
   Pearce says any of the five seniors on the Tiger team could be considered captains, not just she and Laura Watt. They have tried to help the team pick up where it left off last year.
   "I think we have good team chemistry," said Pearce, who leads Princeton with 13 points on four goals and nine assists. "Everyone gets along together on and off the ice. We have a deep team. We’re not relying on one or two people. Our depth will be helpful throughout the season."
   Added Kampersal: "I think it’s just a matter of them executing. We’re tinkering around a little. It’s a matter of the freshmen catching up some more. The juniors and seniors have been here a long time and they know how practices run and know how tough games are. We’re happy with the first years. They have different learning curves."
   Princeton has had more issues with its returning players keeping up with expectations that are elevated because of last year’s success. The Tigers have taken care of their biggest concern, graduating starting goaltender Roxanne Gaudiel last year, with Kristen Young and Brittany Parisi, but haven’t come back as strong as expected in other areas.
   "Our whole power play is back from last year," Kampersal said. "I thought the transition there would be a little smoother. Maybe teams know what we’re doing or are paying more attention to kids they didn’t last year. We have to come at teams with a different approach. It’s not like they’re not working hard. They are moving the puck and usually making the right decisions. It’s not bad. It’s just not as intimidating as it was."
   Added Pearce: "We’ve obviously done well. We’re undefeated. Jeff knows we can play better. The team knows it to some extent. We’re only a quarter of the way through the season. There’s room to get better."
   There is no doubt that the Tigers believe they can make a return to the Frozen Four, and there goal once there is to advance farther than last year. There are signs of that ability through the first eight games.
   "They’re always really composed," Kampersal said. "It’s a sign of a junior- and senior-laden team. We have great leadership and great kids. They’ve been in battles before."
   Pearce is among the solid senior leaders. Pearce has led the Tigers in scoring in each of the past two seasons. She was the Ivy League Rookie of the Year as a freshman and last year was honored as Ivy Player of the Year.
   "We’re going to be sorry to see her go," Kampersal said. "She’s done a good job as a captain and as a player. She’s a great puck possessor. When the puck is on her stick, she can create opportunities. She works her butt off. The kids can look up to that example and it’s a good thing."
   Pearce was part of the first Princeton team to reach the Frozen Four last year. She’d like to go back in her senior year for the chance to advance to the championship game.
   "Our team is more confident knowing we can do it and have players who can do it," she said. "We’re not stacked full of Olympians, but it doesn’t make a difference. We know we have the players to do it."