By Thomas Walter

Contributing Writer

The women’s field hockey team fell 2-0 in another difficult showdown with a ranked opponent last Friday when they faced No. 7 Princeton Tigers at home. This is the second ranked opponent the Bison have faced in their first three contests this year. Despite the loss, the Orange and Blue showed definite signs of improvement from last week’s performances.

“These are exactly the types of teams we want to be playing to prepare us for our Patriot League opponents,” forward Mallory Smith ’12 said. “We welcome upper-level competition; it brings out the best in us. It’s also much more satisfying to be victorious over teams of this caliber, whether defeating them outright or just winning the moment–one play within a game.”

The Orange and the Blue certainly showed improvement on the defensive side allowing just nine shots on goal against the Tiger offense. Erica Perrine ’14 made her first career start in goal, and finished the game with three saves. Both Princeton goals resulted from set plays, the first coming off a corner and the second from a penalty stroke.

Throughout the contest, the Bison registered a few close scoring chances as Smith and Maggie Murphy ‘15 came close a few times. Vickie Resh ’14 came closest for the Bison offense when she ripped a shot that was deflected off the post in the second half. Overall, the team ramped up its play late in the game, recording five of their six shots in the second half.

The Bison will continue their tough start to the season tomorrow at 10 a.m. when they travel to Ann Arbor, Mich. to take on Central Michigan, and Sunday at 1 p.m. to play the No. 9 Michigan Wolverines.