FINISHING TOUCH: Princeton University field hockey player Maddie Copeland prepares to send the ball up the field in recent action. Last Sunday, senior striker Copeland, a former Stuart Country Day and Peddie School standout, scored three goals to help Princeton defeat American University 5-1. The Tigers, who improved to 2-3 with the win, were slated to play at Maryland on September 22 before starting Ivy League play with a game at Dartmouth on September 27. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Despite having not scored a goal in the first four games of the season for the Princeton University field hockey team, Maddie Copeland was primed to make an impact as the Tigers hosted American University last Sunday.

“I told my coach that my goal for this game was to get something every time I was in the circle,” said senior striker Copeland, a former Stuart Country Day and Peddie School standout.

“I think that was the goal for all of the attackers, to get a corner or a goal, whatever.”

Copeland certainly got it going, enjoying a career day, scoring three goals in the second half to help Princeton pull away to a 5-1 win over American as it improved to 2-3.

“I haven’t had a hat trick before in college, it feels good to get one,” said a grinning Copeland.

Making a good one-on-one move in the circle, Copeland scored her first goal of the game 1:38 into the second half. “I got a good ball, I think it was from Kate Ferrara,” recalled Copeland. “The circle was pretty open and I just dodged one player and shot far post.”

After opening her scoring account, Copeland scored on the right post about 10 minutes later and then fired a backhander in with 57 seconds left in regulation to earn her hat trick.

“Elizabeth George assisted on two of my goals today, she is a great player,” said Copeland, who was later named the Ivy League Player of the Week for her performance.

“She sees the field really well, she gave me a good cross across the circle, I was there to tap it in. Then she gave me a great ball into the circle and I had a wide open shot.”

In Copeland’s view, some fine-tuning in practice helped open things up offensively for the Tigers.

“This past week we focused on a new structure; the structure opened up lanes for the forwards more and just more space on the field overall,” explained Copeland.

“I think we definitely utilized our space today. We were able to create more on our attacking end which was really good.”

With Princeton slated to play at 10th-ranked Maryland (5-3) on September 22 before starting Ivy League play with a game at Dartmouth (3-3) on September 27, Copeland is hoping the team can keep up its good work.

“Maryland will be a good game to see just where we sit right now,” said Copeland.

“I think we have a really strong team and if we play to our best, we can give them a run for their money. Headed into Dartmouth, we just have to play our game. We treat every Ivy game the same, every one is important. Those are the games that really matter and we want to crush it when we get to them.”

For Cranbury resident Copeland, playing her college career near home has meant a lot to her.

“It is great, my family is able come to all of our games and we have a great level of support,” said Copeland, who now has 21 career goals as a Tiger.

“A lot of the girls are local so it is just like a big family; everybody always has a lot of people here and it is great support.”

Princeton head coach Kristen Holmes-Winn believes her team has been lifting the level of its play over the last two weeks.

“We have really played well in the last few games,” asserted Holmes-Winn.

“UVa was strong (a 4-3 overtime loss on September 6),  Delaware was good (a 4-3 loss on September 13), Bucknell (a 5-1 win on September 12) was good. The fluidity definitely came together today very well against a good team. American is a very good team.”

The Tigers have been coming together offensively. “We were possessing the ball better so we were able to get better height,” said Holmes-Winn, who got first half goals from junior Hailey Reeves and freshman Nicole Catalino in the victory over American.

“Playing around pressure is really the key and finding ways to get to spots early and then reward that structure.”

Holmes-Winn was happy to see Copeland get rewarded for her efforts in the circle.

“It was awesome, she is great up there, there is no question about it,” said Holmes-Winn.

“She probably felt some pressure to get a goal. She is doing a whole lot of other things very well. She has been playing very well in practice so I am not surprised to see it translate.”

Spearheaded by Reeves and freshman Elise Wong, the Tiger defense did well, holding American to a pair of shots.

“Hailey had a sensational defensive game,” said Holmes-Winn. “She didn’t give her mark a moment to breathe, which is exactly what we need from our backs. She was terrific. Elise anchored the back, that has been a change too. We have been shifting personnel around a little bit trying to leverage everyone’s strengths the best that we can. I think this is a step in the right direction for sure. I really liked how we played in the backfield.”

Princeton also got some fine play in the middle of the field from junior Cat Caro, seniors Teresa Benvenuti and Kate Ferrara, along with freshmen Catalino and Sophia Tornetta.

“I think Cat was really good, coming back in the midfield from the striker line, overloading zones,” added Holmes-Winn.

“Nicole and Sophia in the middle as freshmen, give us a lot. Our spine was great today. Teresa and Kate on the wing mids are really threatening.”

Holmes-Winn is hoping that her squad can continue moving in the right direction.

“We just have to try to keep getting better every day, that is really our focus,” said Holmes-Winn.

“We want to get a little closer to our playing mentality every day. We are playing well. Sometimes you win and play well, sometimes you lose and play well. We are always trying to look behind the result and understand the difference when you win games and don’t play so well. I think we have been playing well over the last couple of weeks and it was great to have that result today.”

Copeland, for her part, is determined to play well to the final whistle of her college career.

“It is the last year and I want to go out with a bang,” asserted Copeland. “I want the team to succeed this year. We have such a good team. We have a lot of good young players. I think senior leadership is really important this year and the team is really doing a good job so far.”