Gm 1: Princeton over Harvard

The Harvard University women’s team traveled to Princeton University this afternoon for a late afternoon tilt at Hobey Baker rink. This was the first game in this best of 3 series featuring the #2 Tigers hosting the #8 Crimson.

In the post-season you can toss seedings out the window. No matter what happens during the regular season it doesn’t impact the way these teams square up in the playoffs. There were 16 points separating these 2 squads at the end of the regular season, but you couldn’t tell that today as Princeton just edged Harvard 1-0 to take an early series lead.

On paper this series shapes up as a goalie duel from start to finish. In net for Harvard was Ainsley Tuffy (11-5-2 with a 1.75GAA and .951%SV). The sophomore from Duxbury, MA leads the nation in save percentage and has earned her reputation as a big-game player with her latest heroics at the Beanpot. At the other end of the sheet stood Uma Corniea (14-8-0 with a 1.78GAA and .937%SV) between the pipes for Princeton. The junior from Edina, MN is tied for 7th in the NCAA with her save percentage.

What I’m saying is that goals were going to be hard to come by this afternoon.

At least that’s what I thought? With just over 2mins played in the first Princeton grabbed the lead with the only goal they’d need. A turnover deep in the Harvard zone set up a 2 on none down low. Emerson O’Leary broke in on the right side of the slot and drove the net with Issy Wunder skating with her on her left. O’Leary held until Tuffy committed and then slid the puck to Wunder who buried it in the open cage. I mean that’s only the (current and reigning) Ivy League Player of the Year with an open net.

What did you think would happen?

That score held despite Princeton’s best efforts, as Tuffy stood tall in the Harvard net turning away multiple odd-player rushes. Tuffy’s best save in my opinion was during a late Harvard PP when she went left to right to get her leg on a 2:1 bid. How big was Tuffy? The Crimson was outshot 30-12 in the opening frame.

In the 2nd the play evened out as Harvard got their legs under them and were able to skate with the Tigers, but it was Princeton that continued to have the better looks. The Crimson struggled mightily to clear the puck during the player advantages but thanks to Tuffy, they remained within a goal. Also stick taps to Angelica Megdanis for a big eat late in the 2nd in her own zone. Laying it all on the line, she went in face first for that block.

Corniea was equally up to the task at the Princeton end of the rink. When Harvard did get looks, Corniea was fluid and economic in her movements. She looked so comfortable with her angles and movements, it was going to take the perfect shot to beat her.

In the 3rd both teams were getting looks but again… the goalies. As time wound down it looked as if it was going to be a bounce or an errant puck that made the difference, but as it turned out it was the goalies all along. A Harvard time-out got Tuffy to the bench and the Crimson went 6:5 with 2:28 left in regulation.

Even with a late flurry, Harvard couldn’t get one past Corniea and the wall of white sweaters as the Tigers take the first game in the best of three ECAC Quarterfinal matchup.

The teams face-off in Game 2 tomorrow at 3pm, you gotta love the best of 3 matchups.

If you’ve read this far you’re clearly a fan of the women’s game. Please like, share, subscribe and follow us on all socials @BTGHockeyPod and give the podcast a try. Thanks!

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