SHE’S BAAACK: Princeton University women’s hockey player Sarah Fillier skates up the ice in a 2020 game. Junior star Fillier has returned to Princeton after a two-year hiatus during which she helped the Canadian women’s national team win two world championships and a gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Fillier totaled 114 points on 44 goals and 70 assists in her first two seasons for the Tigers, earning All-American honors each year. Princeton hosts No. 4 Colgate (9-0) on October 28 and No. 8 Cornell (2-0) a day later to start its 2022-23 season. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

Cara Morey is experiencing a little trepidation as her Princeton University women’s hockey team prepares to start its 2022-23 campaign.

“I don’t know what to expect this weekend,” said Princeton head coach Morey, whose squad, ranked 10th nationally, is hosting No. 4 Colgate (9-0) on October 28 and No. 8 Cornell (2-0) a day later.

“It is just hard because sometimes they are flying and they look great. Sometimes there is a lull and you are like wait, do we have to start all over again.”

The Tiger players are on edge as well. “I think we are ready to play, now we are anxious to get on the ice and play some games,” said Morey, whose team went 13-15-5 overall and 9-10-3 ECAC Hockey last winter on the way to the league semifinals. “It is at that point of preseason where we need to play so then we can kind of figure out where we are at.”

Morey is anxious to see what junior superstar Sarah Fillier can do upon her return after taking a two-year hiatus from Princeton during which she helped the Canadian women’s national team win two world championships and a gold medal at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

“Sarah is an X-factor, she is great; the players look up to her,” said Morey of Fillier, who piled up 114 points on 44 goals and 70 assists in her first two seasons for the Tigers, earning All-American honors each year.

“She is an awesome leader. They watch her when she is on the ice which can sometimes be a detriment because they need to play instead of watching her. Overall it is amazing, it has been so great to have her back.”

The Tigers will be looking at two other key veterans, senior Maggie Connors (13 goals, 9 assists in 2021-22) and sophomore Mia Coene (6 goals, 7 assists), to help Fillier trigger the offense.

“Maggie is looking great, she looks amazing, she looks better than ever,” said Morey. “Mia also looks great; she is maybe the fittest and toughest kid you will ever have on your roster.”

A quartet of freshmen forwards — Emerson O’Leary, Jane Kuehl, Issy Wunder, and Katherine Khramtsov — figure to make an impact.

“Our freshmen look really good, there is a lot of talent,” said Morey. “There will be a learning curve of understanding the college game, the physicality of it, the understanding our systems and how we want them to play but they are really good.”

Princeton boasts a crew of battle-tested and talented defensemen in senior Mariah Keopple (2 goals, 5 assists), junior Kate Monihan (2 goals, 3 assists), senior Chloe Harvey (2 assists), junior Stef Wallace (2 goals, 12 assists), sophomore Dominique Cormier (3 goals, 9 assists), and senior Solveig Neunzert (4 goals, 6 assists).

“It is the exact same d-corps as last year, no new additions, no subtractions,” said Morey. “Our d-corps looks good, I am excited for them to show what they can do this weekend. They have all come back from last year faster, stronger, smarter. I expect them to do really well.”

The Tigers have three goalies in freshman Taylor Hyland, senior Cassie Reale (2.00 goals against average, .927 save percentage in 2021-22), and sophomore Jennifer Olnowich (1.38 GAA, .946 save pct.) who can do well.

“That is going to be a game-time decision,” said Morey. “The goalies look good but the net is open. They are all stepping up in their own time. I think it is a good, healthy competition and they are pushing each other.”

Princeton is going to get pushed by Colgate and Cornell this weekend.

“I think Colgate is arguably the best team in our league right now; it is going to be a big test, so we will see how our defense does against them,” said Morey. “They are super offensively gifted. They are on game 10 and it is our first. They are loaded and flying. Cornell is a little bit more of a fair fight, they have some young kids playing. They have had two games now where we haven’t had any. I would expect it to be a really fast, back and forth game.”

Even if the Tigers don’t get off to a fast start, Morey is confident that her squad can grow into something special.

“I think they have to be patient and know if it is bumpy at the beginning, it will come together at the end,” said Morey, who credits assistant coaches Courtney Kessel and Shelly Picard with playing a key role in the program’s success.

“We have a lot of young players in our lineup right now. We have to be patient and stay positive and just know the potential that this group has.”