OPENING STATEMENT: Princeton University women’s hockey player Cristin Shanahan, right, battles for the puck in a game last season. Last Friday, senior forward Shanahan scored the winning goal in the third period as Princeton edged Mercyhurst 3-2 in its season opener. A day later, she chipped in an assist as the Tigers completed a sweep of the two-game set with a 2-1 victory. Princeton starts ECAC Hockey action this weekend when it plays at Yale on October 30 and at Brown on October 31. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Opening its season at Mercyhurst last Friday, the Princeton University women’s hockey didn’t waste any time getting in the swing of things, taking a 1-0 lead in the first period on a goal by Morgan Sly.

“The kids have been preparing hard for three weeks and they were ready to play so they came out strong,” said Princeton head coach Jeff Kampersal.

“Mercyhurst is a really good team, they are really well coached. I think it was their fifth game and it was our first game so us competing in the first period was what I was most worried about. They showed up and answered the call for sure.”

The Tigers built on that tally by junior forward Sly as junior Audrey Potts scored in the second period and senior Cristin Shanahan notched a third period goal that turned out to be the game winner in a 3-2 triumph. A day later, freshman Karlie Lund scored the first goal of her career and Sly added another tally as the Tigers held on for a 2-1 win over the Lakers.

Kampersal liked the way his players competed all weekend. “One of the things we are focused on is mental toughness so to not be satisfied with driving all that way out and getting a win but getting two wins that was huge for our kids,” said Kampersal. “They were consistent with their effort.”

Sly’s consistent play all over the ice was a big plus for the Tigers. “She did a really good job, I think she and Karlie were the point leaders in both games,” said Kampersal.

“But I think more so than her scoring, her physical play was key. She had some good plays along the wall as a breakout wing. She had some good forechecking. That stands out more than her goals but she is a very skilled kid and we definitely needed those because they were both one-goal games. She played solid all the way around.”

Senior Shanahan continued to show her knack from coming through in close games.

“The kid is amazing, she was probably our first or second best forward all weekend,” said Kampersal of Shanahan.

“She scores game-winning goals. Last year she had four game-winners and she has already started out this year with one. She is a clutch player. She played clutch in the second period of the second game. We took five penalties in a row and we were essentially killing the whole period. Shanny and the other penalty killers did a great job.”

Based on last weekend, it looks like freshman Lund is going to be a great addition for the Tigers.

“Karlie is a really skilled player; she can slow a game down with her smarts and her skill,” said Kampersal.

“She is also a good face-off person. She is a freshman who has stepped in right away and she is going to play a big role for us. So if she can continue to do what she did this weekend, every weekend, that will help tremendously. It balances out our third line.”

As usual, senior goalie Kimberly Newell came up big for Princeton, making 28 saves in the opener and recording 27 in the second game.

“I think she is one of the best goalies in the country, if not the best,” said Kampersal.

“When she is focused in, she is tough to beat. She played really well in game one and we decided to go back with her for game two. They didn’t call very many penalties in game one but I thought it would change in game two and they definitely made more calls. The goalie has to be the best penalty killer and in that second period, we were under the gun the whole time and she played great.”

Kampersal is looking for his players to continue to show focus as Princeton starts ECAC Hockey action this weekend when it plays at Yale on October 30 and at Brown on October 31.

“We have to try to get as much rest as we can and then get through midterms this week,” said Kampersal.

“Yale knocked us out of an Ivy championship last year on the very last day so we should have decent motivation going into that game. It is not that we want to play angry but it is an Ivy contest and we want to make sure that we are ready to go. I think we will be. Brown had a new staff so I am not necessarily sure what to expect from them but we have to go there and play hard as well.”