Courtesy: Beverly SchaeferLINKS: Box Score
WASHINGTON, D.C. (9/4/11) - American's Shelly Montgomery broke a scoreless tie in the 62nd minute with what proved to be the game winner as the 10th-ranked Eagles defeated the seventh-ranked Princeton field hockey team 2-0 on Sunday afternoon at Jacobs Field.
Fans were treated to an exciting game right from the opening push as the teams traded momentum back-and-forth throughout the contest. American (2-1) earned the first penalty corner of the day just 55 seconds into the action but Gina Hofmann's shot was sent wide, negating the opportunity. Princeton (1-1) earned its first scoring chance in the 14th minute as Molly Goodman sent a shot on goal, but Stephanie Burry made the save at the left post.
The Tigers threatened again in the 19th minute with their first penalty corner of the day. Allison Behringer's shot was blocked by an American defender, however, preserving the 0-0 tie. Princeton would take a 2-1 advantage in shots into the half with each team earning one penalty corner.
Both defenses remained strong throughout the second half, denying the offenses of what seemed to be several quality scoring chances. Princeton had two odd-man rushes broken up before they could get shots off, while Tiger goalkeeper Christina Maida shouldered the load in net, making saves against Rebecca Treharne and Carly Atchison to keep the score even.
American broke through in the 62nd minute when Melissa Casale played a ball into the shell from the right side. Alex McMackin deflected the pass at the right post to Montgomery on the left side, where she slipped a shot past Maida for the first score of the day.
The Eagles tacked on a second goal in the 66th minute as Hofmann converted a straight shot off a penalty corner, with both Dyer and Natalie Ellenberger picking up an assist on the play.
Princeton is now 1-1 on the season and returns to action on Thursday night when eighth-ranked Penn State visits Class of '52 Stadium for the Tigers season opener.
