Get ready for an epic showdown in the Ivy League field hockey tournament! It’s Princeton versus Harvard for the championship title. These two powerhouses have been dominating the Ivy League for the past two decades, and now they face off for the ultimate prize. The game will take place at Berylson Field in Cambridge, Massachusetts on November 5th at 1 pm.
Both teams had nail-biting semifinal games, with Princeton defeating Cornell and Harvard edging out Penn, both with a score of 1-0. Now, they meet in the finals for the first-ever Ivy League tournament championship and a guaranteed spot in the NCAA tournament.
Princeton and Harvard have been unstoppable forces in the Ivy League. Since 2017, they have a combined record of 69-1 against the rest of the league. The only loss came when Princeton fell to Penn in double overtime earlier this season. It’s clear that these two teams are in a league of their own.
The last time a team other than Princeton or Harvard won a share of the Ivy League title was way back in 1993. The dominance of these two teams is unparalleled. The all-time series between Princeton and Harvard favors Princeton, with a record of 43-9-2.
In their previous matchup this season, Harvard emerged victorious with a commanding 4-0 win over Princeton. The Tigers were outshot 16-3 in that game, but they have since bounced back and have not lost a game. They even won two consecutive games when facing elimination.
When Princeton head coach Carla Tagliente took over in 2016, the team has faced opponents in the postseason that they had previously played in the regular season eight times. In six out of those eight instances, the team that lost in the regular season came back to win in the rematch. This includes Princeton’s 2018 NCAA tournament victory over Harvard after losing to them earlier in the regular season.
Princeton has been no stranger to close games this season. In their last 132 minutes of play, they have either been tied or ahead by just one goal. Out of their 16 games this year, 11 have been decided by a single goal. It’s safe to say that every game is a nail-biter for the Tigers.
In the semifinals, Princeton showcased their defensive prowess by shutting out Cornell, the highest-scoring team in Division I. Cornell’s leading scorer was held scoreless for the first time this season, and Princeton successfully defended against all 10 of Cornell’s penalty corners.
Get ready for an intense battle between Princeton and Harvard for the Ivy League field hockey tournament title. These two teams have a storied history and a fierce rivalry. It’s a game you won’t want to miss!