CAT EYES: Princeton University field hockey player Cat Caro tracks down a ball in a game last fall. Junior star Caro figures to be a key player for the Tigers this fall as they go after their 11th straight Ivy League title. The 15th-ranked Tigers open their 2015 campaign by hosting No. 2 North Carolina (2-0) on September 4 and No. 9 Virginia (2-0) on September 6. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

After stumbling to a 3-9 start in 2014 the Princeton University field hockey team is determined to hit the ground running this fall.

“Always the first question mark is the fitness level; they came in really fit,” said Princeton head coach Kristen Holmes-Winn, whose team did come on strong last fall to win its 10th straight Ivy League title, finishing with an 8-11 record and advancing to the first round of the NCAA tournament.

“That let’s us do things so we can just attack the hockey and not think about the fitness piece. We would be OK in the first game but in the second game of the weekend, we would struggle and that really impacted our September so we were chasing a lot of the season last year. I think a lot of that is fitness-related. I do think this group learned from those losses last year and it informed their training over the summer without a doubt. For me, it was wonderful to see them really embrace the summer and be prepared.”

The team’s group of seniors, Teresa Benvenuti, Maddie Copeland, Saskia de Quant, Kate Ferrara, Anya Gersoff, and Debi Jantzen, have embraced the leadership role.

“The seniors are fabulous, they all bring something a little different to the table,” asserted Holmes-Winn.

“All of them contribute things and they have been bringing their strengths every day, which is something  we talk a lot about. I have been really happy with how they have been functioning. They are the ones that set the tone in terms of how we bring the freshmen along. We try not to have big class divisions.”

At the offensive end of the field, Princeton features a number of players who  should contribute.

“We have quite a bit of depth in our front five, Cat Caro (4 goals and 3 assists in 2014 as a junior), Sophia Tornetta, Nicole Catalino are going to be up front with Ryan McCarthy (5 goals and 2 assists in 2014 as a freshman),” said Holmes-Winn.

“Maddie Copeland (a former Stuart Country Day and Peddie School standout who tallied 8 goals last year as a junior) had a strong back half of the season last year and she is playing very well in preseason. We have Elizabeth George coming in. She has been really sensational, she is actually a lacrosse player and she has decided to go out. She played high school field hockey. Her speed, physicality and presence has really impressed us. Also up front is Rachel Park (1 goal in 2014 as a freshman) and Ellen Dobrijevic.”

Senior star Benvenuti, who has been plagued by injury, could emerge as the team’s most potent offensive weapon.

“We are just trying to keep her healthy for game day,” added Holmes-Winn of Benvenuti, who tallied 6 goals and 4 assists in 2014 despite missing six games.

“We are very strict about monitoring her reps and her volume across the board. She is an absolute monster when she is on the field.”

The team’s defensive unit has the potential to take over games. “Elise Wong is at the center half position,” said Holmes-Winn. “On the outside we have a lot of people rolling through there, we have Kate Ferrara (2 assists in 2014) and Hailey Reeves (2 goals and 4 assists in 2014 as a sophomore). Dani Duseau is playing back there for us and we also have Debi Jantzen back there. Saskia de Quant, Sarah Brennan (a former Princeton Day School standout), and Casey Swezey will be rolling through the back as well.”

Senior goalie Gersoff, who made 101 saves last fall and posted a goals against average of 2.78, figures to be the backbone of the Tigers.

“Anya is just really solid and so intelligent,” said Holmes-Winn. “She understands the game very, very well. It is a real gift to have someone who understands the nuances. She is very sophisticated in her understanding of what is happening on our defensive zone corners. We want to utilize her strengths there as much as possible and give her the freedom to manage the defense.”

Utilizing the team’s fitness, Holmes-Winn is looking to play a high tempo style.

“I think on the attacking side we are just trying to stay as fluid and fast as possible,” said Holmes-Winn.

“We have been thinking about that in every zone of the field, looking at our front five and our back five, just understanding when to have that patience and when to go fast and when to take the space that is given. It is playing hockey basically but doing the right thing in the right moment.”

The 15th-ranked Tigers will need to be strong at both ends of the field to get off on the right foot as they open the season by hosting No. 2 North Carolina (2-0) on September 4 and No. 9 Virginia (2-0) on September 6.

“I would love for us to be able to run teams into the ground,” said Holmes-Winn.

“Every year, I want to play as many people as possible but it is up to them to be able to show in practice that they can handle the ball and make decisions. It will be good for us if players stay focused on getting better every day and not getting caught up in some of the external stuff.”

If the Tigers can maintain a sharp focus, they could enjoy a big fall. “If players stay healthy and stay focused on their individual improvement, I think the potential of this group is massive,” said Holmes-Winn.

“It is easy to be excited in the first couple weeks but can you stay excited every single day you come to training. It is how interested and engaged, not just the 12 or 13 getting on the field, but how engaged is every single person on the team. That to me is the biggest difference maker at the back end of the season. It is our job as coaches to do everything we can to keep them engaged and interested but there has to be that desire and inherent love for the game that helps propel the individual as well. I honestly think we have a nice combination of the two. I think that gives me the most reason to be optimistic about what we can do this year.”