Another chilly but exciting night at Hobey Baker Arena ended in a 3-0 shutout victory against the Providence College Friars, putting the Princeton Tigers back in the win column and energizing the home crowd. The atmosphere inside the rink was electric from start to finish, as fans filled the stands ready to support the Tigers in this competitive matchup.
Both teams came out hot from the opening puck drop, setting a fast pace and establishing momentum and scoring chances on both ends of the ice, but it was Princeton who took control by outshooting Providence 37-20. As the first period progressed, the Tigers’ structure tightened and limited the Friars’ scoring opportunities, demonstrating a level of patience and confidence that reflected their preparation.
The Tigers struck first halfway through the first period with Issy Wunder finding the back of the net for the Tigers, capitalized on a clean setup from Riley Sorokan and Gabby Kim. This early goal put them up first on the board, lighting an early spark in Hobey Baker, giving the Tigers the momentum they needed to continue pressing and dictating the pace of play.
Ani Kozak extended the lead for the Tigers with her first career goal with the Princeton Tigers. Kozak’s goal was a standout moment of the night, showcasing her determination and awareness in front of the crease. She fought her way through the Friars’ defense, capitalized on a loose opportunity, and gave the Tigers a comfortable 2-0 lead. This early lead gave the Tigers early breathing room and boosted their confidence through the remainder of the period. The Tigers’ defense showcased a level of control that would carry through the remainder of the game.
The second period remained scoreless on both ends, but it was far from uneventful and quiet. While Princeton continued to generate quality chances, Providence attempted to mount a response and put up a strong offensive performance outshooting the Tigers in the second period. The Tigers’ defense remained poised and composed, clearing rebounds, blocking shots and maintaining tight coverage around the net. The discipline of this Tigers defense prevented Providence from cutting into the lead despite the increased pressure and sustained offensive pushes.
As time trickled down in the third period, Princeton extended the scoring to three goals. Senior Emerson O’Leary delivered a perfectly timed clean pass to sophomore forward Mackenzie Alexander, who buried her first goal of the season to put the Tigers up 3-0. The late goal sealed the outcome and solidified the win for the Tigers, further energizing the home crowd.
Freshman goaltender Lia Nevo, making her first career start between the pipes, delivered a standout performance. She earned her first collegiate shutout with 20 saves, demonstrating pose and reliability throughout all three periods and showing impressive composure for a first-year netminder.
The Tigers, now 5-4, look for another strong performance against the Friars today who are now 4-8-1. Puck drop is this afternoon at 2 p.m. at Hobey Baker Arena as this competitive home and home series continues.
