PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania field hockey program fell victim to a Princeton comeback as the Tigers overcame an early 1-0 deficit to defeat Penn, 3-1.
 
NOTES
*Freshman Meghan Ward scored the game's opening goal, tapping in from a corner. The score was the fourth of her freshman campaign.
 
*Gracyn Banks assisted Ward's opening goal. It was her fourth assist this season.
 
*Alexa Murray marked her first-career start in style, tallying a defensive save in the first quarter.
 
*Erin Kelly also notched a defensive save, keeping out a shot from Princeton's Taylor Nolan.
 
*Senior goalkeeper Ava Rosati made four saves today.
 
*The Quakers outshot Princeton 6-4 in the first half.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first half was a back and forth affair, with the scale tipping in favor of each team for periods of play. Princeton looked primed to get on the board first, but Murray stepped up in her first start to make a defensive save and keep the teams locked at 0-0.
 
Moments later, the Quakers took the lead. On a penalty corner, Banks fired a ball across goal to the outreached stick of Ward which redirected the ball into the back of the Princeton goal to put Penn in front, 1-0.
 
The Tigers would field an immediate response, however. Following a corner of its own, Princeton equalized as Emma Street beat Rosati from the top of the circle. Penn had chances to regain the lead throughout the remainder of the first half but could not find the finishing touch.
 
Princeton came out hot to start the second half. Three minutes into the third quarter, Taylor Nolan redirected a pass into the circle to give the visitors their first lead of the game. The Tigers looked for a quick 1-2 punch following their goal, but a defensive save by Kelly kept the game at 2-1.
 
Penn dug deep in search of an equalizer and possessed the ball for extended periods of the second half. However, Penn was kept out by a strong Princeton defense. With just 22 seconds remaining, the Tigers doubled their lead with a goal on an empty Penn net.
 
The Quakers finish the season 7-10 overall and tied for third in the Ivy League standings with Cornell at 4-3.