PRINCETON, N.J. - Old Dominion field hockey fell to #10 Princeton 2-1 in its first away game of the season on Friday night at Bedford Field. Sophomore Amelie Zielcke scored the lone goal for the Monarchs against the Tigers.
“We started slowly and gave away two goals before we woke up and started connecting,” said ODU head coach Andrew Griffiths. “Princeton have a very talented team, and it took us too long to settle in and find a rhythm.”
Princeton (1-0) was first on the scoreboard in its season opener with a goal by Ottilie Sykes four minutes into the first quarter, followed by a goal from Beth Yeager with a reverse to the far post a minute later at the 10:42 mark of the first quarter. ODU (1-2) goalkeeper Suus Broers recorded two saves in the opening quarter.
The Monarchs denied two shots by Princeton in the second quarter, a wide shot from Lily Wojcik followed by a shot from Lydia Bills that ODU’s Broers saved, keeping the score 2-0 in favor of the Tigers sending it into halftime.
A corner pass from Serena Langendoen connected with Zielcke for the Monarchs opening goal of the night thanks to an assist from Mackenzie Olsommer, making the score 2-1. Broers made two saves in the quarter, one from a penalty corner by Yaeger with 5:43 left of the clock, and another by Sykes later in the third closing out the quarter.
“The positive is that we grew stronger with each period, we had good possession and started to move the ball,” added Griffiths. “We were rewarded with goalscoring opportunities and a nice corner finish from Zielcke.”
An eager Princeton offense was quick to start the fourth with two shots that were denied by Broers. Monarch forward Josie Painter had a shot attempt but was denied by Princeton goalkeeper Libby Smith midway through the quarter. A crowded penalty corner pass from Cosima Perleth connected with Jule Schuurman, but she was denied by Smith inside the post, closing out the match 2-1.
“However, we can play much better than this through the full game,” said Griffiths. “We must be sharper in our defensive positioning, and also be stronger on the ball. We will look to do this on Sunday against Penn.”
Old Dominion finished with four shots, three shots on goal, and two corners. Princeton recorded 11 shots, eight of those were on goal, as well as four corners on the night. Old Dominion goalkeeper Suus Broers recorded six saves for the game.
UP NEXT:
Old Dominion returns to Norfolk to host Wagner at the L.R. Hill Sports Complex on Friday, September 12, at 5 p.m. to celebrate Morgan's Message.