Luck hasn’t been on Princeton’s side early on

It’s been a missed shot here, a turnover there and the always spectacular save at the wrong time for the Princeton University field hockey team.

It has all led to a pair of overtime losses and another one-goal loss, yet knowing the talent on the Tigers (1-3) it would seem as though they are ready to erupt.

Next up is a Thursday matchup with No. 5 Maryland (6-1) in College Park, beginning at 4 p.m.

There might be some frustration, but at the same time there’s a level of confidence around the team.

“I think Delaware and UNC were frustrating in that we conceded the lead late,” said Princeton coach Carla Tagliente. “Rutgers, I think, we were happy to level things up and happy to be in OT with a chance to win. It’s promising that we are in every game and it’s clear where we need to improve. Knowing and doing are two entirely separate things though so we need to lean into this a little bit and get better.”

The Tigers have seen senior Liz Angelucci lead with two goals and two assists, senior Bridget Murphy has two goals, freshman Ottilie Sykes has two assists and Lawrence’s Talia Schenck, a sophomore, has a goal.

Princeton’s goalie and captain Robyn Thompson was injured in the Rutgers game and Olivia Caponetti took over in the cage.

Maryland, like Princeton, is always a national title contender and they have been led by Hope Rose with nine goals and one assist, Margot Lawn has two goals and five assists.

Paige Kieft and Alyssa Kiebasko have split time in goal. The Terps have allowed five goals on the season.

“They like to stretch you out and hold possession and then find moments to attack,” said Tagliente, of Maryland. “They have struggled more that past MD teams to generate a lot of attack so I’ve seen them trying to adapt their system a little to generate more. The biggest problem is that I don’t think we have seen their best performance yet. Like us, I think they are still finding their way and trying to see what works best on the field.”

So, it could be which team takes control early and can build on the confidence gained from the advantage.

This season if you have a losing record you cannot be ranked, so despite all four games against ranked opponents and three straight overtime games the Tigers are no longer ranked.

“The frustrating part would be that we are in each game and it’s a small moment here or there that we are not closing these out,” declared Tagliente. “I am more optimistic and pleased than frustrated right now though. When Robyn (Thompson) went out against Rutgers, we were down to zero returning starters from 2022. Show me another team in the country with zero returning starters playing as well as we are, even given the players we are missing due to injury. This team finds a way, superstars or no superstars. We are nowhere near our best yet.”