OVER THE HOMPE: Princeton University women’s lacrosse player Olivia Hompe, second from right, celebrates after one of her career-high six goals last Friday in a 15-8 win over Harvard in the Ivy League semifinals. Two days later, sophomore star Home scored three goals to help Princeton defeat Penn 14-11 in the Ivy championship game. Hompe was named the tournament MVP and was an all-tournament pick. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)goal.

Olivia Hompe was initially feeling out of rhythm last Friday evening as the Princeton University women’s lacrosse team battled Harvard in the Ivy League tournament semifinals.

“Early in the first half we were having some trouble really possessing the ball on offense,” said sophomore star Hompe.

“I think Harvard was doing a really great job of having long possessions and really working our defense.”

With Princeton trailing Harvard 4-2 late in the half, the Tigers got on track as Erin Slifer scored with 3:30 left in the period and then Hompe found the back of the net with 1:35 left to make it a 4-4 game at halftime.

“I think at the end of the half, it was just us focusing on doing our part and stepping up like the defense did for us,” said Hompe, a 5’9 native of New Canaan, Conn.

In the second half, the Princeton offense stepped into high gear, going on a nine-goal run to build a 14-5 lead and cruised from there.

“I think we just got into a circle set and it really just let us do anything we wanted,” said Hompe, reflecting on the second half outburst.

“It was really free-flowing and I think we just started moving for each other and seeing each other really well. We had an incredible amount of assisted goals in this game, which was great to see. We were just seeing each other really well.”

While Hompe ended up with a career-high six goals, she was more impressed with the team’s collective play than her individual exploits.

“I am really happy withthe  way I played but I think really our whole offense is clicking so well,” said Hompe.

“We have played better and better every game throughout April and to see it all come to fruition in May is really rewarding.”

Two days later, Hompe scored three goals to help Princeton beat Penn 14-11 in the Ivy title game and earn an automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA tournament. In the wake of her nine-goal weekend, Hompe was named All-Tournament and chosen as the tournament MVP.

Princeton head coach Chris Sailer was very happy to see Hompe receive those accolades.

“She is just such a competitor, that girl finds a way,” said Sailer of Hompe, who now has a team-high 48 goals on the season and earned first-team All-Ivy honors this spring.

“I have said all season that she has brought this team an energy. We have fed off of her energy, her big playmaking and how much fun she has on the field. She can light it up like she showed this weekend. Liv brings a little something extra; she has been just phenomenal for us this year.”

Hompe will be looking to light it up this weekend as Princeton, now 14-3, faces Fairfield on May 8 at Stony Brook, N.Y. in the opening round of the NCAA tournament with the winner to face host and sixth-seeded Stony Brook two days later for a spot in the NCAA quarterfinals.

“It is really about proving ourselves,” said Hompe. “It is a great time for us show that we can compete with the best of the best.”