Princeton’s women’s hockey team is gearing up for a challenging week, facing two top-15 teams: Colgate and Cornell. The Tigers, currently on a five-game winning streak, are eager to test their skills against these formidable opponents.
Upcoming Matches
- Princeton vs. Colgate
- Date: Friday, December 5
- Time: 6 p.m.
- Broadcast: ESPN+
- Princeton vs. Cornell
- Date: Saturday, December 6
- Time: 3 p.m.
- Broadcast: ESPN+
Current Standings and Statistics
In the latest USCHO poll, Princeton is ranked No. 11. Colgate and Cornell are positioned at No. 14 and No. 8, respectively. The USA Hockey poll reflects similar rankings.
Defensive and Offensive Rankings
Princeton boasts a strong defensive record, allowing just 1.85 goals per game. The team is ranked ninth nationally in scoring defense and holds a team goals-against average (GAA) of 1.827.
Individual Performers
Several players have distinguished themselves this season:
- Emerson O’Leary: 142 faceoff wins (46th nationally)
- Issy Wunder: 10 game-winning goals (10th nationally)
- Jane Kuehl: 2 goals ranked 21st nationally
- Uma Corniea: 2 shutouts (9th) and .931 save percentage (15th)
- Mackenzie Alexander: 3 power-play goals (16th) and 1.23 points per game (18th)
Colgate and Cornell Challenges
Colgate, ranked sixth in total goals with 56, has a potent offense, featuring Emma Pais, who is eighth in goals per game at 0.72. Cornell presents a different challenge, boasting the nation’s top power-play unit with a success rate of 37.7%.
Coaching Insights
Under the leadership of Courtney Kessel, Princeton is gaining momentum. Kessel previously served as an assistant coach and led the Boston Fleet in the PWHL. Her experience brings valuable insights to the Tigers’ strategy.
Historical Context
Princeton has a mixed history against both teams since the pandemic. Colgate leads their recent matchups with a record of 10-2-1 since 2021. Against Cornell, the Tigers have struggled, with the Big Red holding a 6-1-2 advantage since their last championship face-off in 2020.
Mackenzie Alexander and Issy Wunder are key offensive players for Princeton. Alexander leads with nine goals, while Wunder closely follows with six. Both players have been on scoring streaks during the current winning run.
Looking Ahead
After this week’s matches, Princeton will take a break. They will return to play on January 2, 2026, with a home matchup against Stonehill. ECAC competition will resume the following weekend with games against Union and RPI.
