Saturday afternoon at Bright the Harvard Crimson pulled off a huge 3-1
victory over the Princeton Tigers.  The highly skilled players of
Princeton fell behind 2-0 in the first and after that had a tough day.
Harvard playing with a ton of confidence after their fine 2-2 tie with
Northeastern put together an excellent team effort.
 
In the first period, the Tigers came out strong, but were unable to
finish off their chances.  The Crimson opened the scoring when Stacy
Kellogg (AJ Mleczko) tapped home a slap shot from just inside the blue
line.  On the ensuing face-off Harvard stormed right back into the
Princeton zone.  This time AJM (Kellogg) got the final touch after a
scramble in front of the Tiger net.  Princeton looked shocked, but ready
to come back.  During the second period the Tigers were having trouble
connecting passes in their perimeter game.  Something just was not
clicking.  Harvard continued to mount break out plays and after some good
fore-checking, and quick passing Winkie Mleczko (Colleen Malek, AJM) was
setup at the left point.  Her slap slot found nothing but net.  In the
final period, Princeton was determined to score.  Sensational center
Kathy Issel (Mari Fukuda, Karen Chernisky) was given the perfect setup on
the power play.  A long break in play had spread the Harvard defense.
Some exquisite Tiger passing left Issel alone in the slot.  She picked
the upper stick side corner with deadly accuracy.  However after that
goal, the Crimson played tough defense and pull out a wonderful win.
 
Princeton has three good lines, and two strong defensive pairs.  I felt
when watching the opening period that they would eventually blow Harvard
off the ice with their superior skating and stick skills.  For some
reason the two quick Harvard goals got them down.  The Tigers are led by
co-captain Kathy Issel.  She is a super smooth skater and pulled off
several oh-la-la moves yesterday.  Issel is a tremendous player.  Her
linemates Fukuda and Chernisky are also highly skilled.  Fukuda was
always moving so fast out there and created some lovely plays.  Chernisky
made some good passes and can be a real sniper.  The other forward that
impressed me on Saturday was Mandy Pfeiffer.  She had some stirring moves
and led her line on the attack.  The defense was led by co-captain Sue
Reece.  Her ability to close down other team's forwards is great.  Reece
also has a powerful shot and came very close to scoring several times.
Vicki Urbas was the other impressive Tiger blue liner.  She took chances,
but often ended up with the puck.  Overall, Princeton is a skating team
that I expect will challenge for the league title and championship.
 
Harvard is hanging in there when the going gets tough and then playing
their game very effectively.  The team seems to have learned the new
system and is playing extremely well together.  The woman of the match
had to be goalie Erin Villiotte.  She was on, and when that happens it is
very difficult to score on her.  Villiotte was mega-goalie.  On defense
Holly Leitzes used her good skating and the poke check to help provide
excellent coverage in her own end.  Winkie Mleczko also had a good game
back on the blue line.  She kept it simple.  That appears to be the key
for the whole team: make the simple play.  On offense Jenny Duval had
another strong game.  Her fore-checking has become very good.  Kate
Schutt and Christa Calagione performed a couple of 1-2 breaks that really
looked good.  Calagione had some good speed Saturday.  Overall, the
Crimson are keeping themselves between the puck and the other team, and
in general running the break out and break in plays fairly well.  Harvard
is no powerhouse.  They are a developing team who are playing with much
confidence.  The key is that everyone is playing, and playing as a team.
 
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 good shooting
 rhun
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