As the women’s hockey team prepares for its final two games of the season, this weekend is about more than finishing the season successfully.
For the team’s seniors, it’s about succeeding in their last games as Bulldogs.
“I want them to compete to the best of their abilities because that is what athletes do,” head coach Hilary Witt said. “I always want them to have fun, and I hope the seniors have the best weekend of their careers. There is nothing better than ending your career with a win.”
Eight seniors and their Eli teammates will finish their season at Ingalls Rink this weekend as the Bulldogs (11-15-1, 7-12-1 ECAC) face Quinnipiac on Friday night at 7 p.m. and No. 11 Princeton on Saturday at 4 p.m.
Arguably, a challenge for any sports team is defeating the same team three consecutive times in a season. The Elis will attempt just that when they face the Bobcats on Friday night. The Bulldogs won the two previous matches this season 2-0 and 2-1; forward Crysti Howser ’09 had a goal in the first contest and tallied two assists in the second.
On Saturday, an even more formidable challenge will present itself at the Whale.
Princeton, ranked No.11 in the nation, will come to Ingalls for the last regular season match. Last time the two squads faced off, the Tigers came away with a 3-2 victory. The Bulldogs played well, but a third period power-play goal for Princeton proved to be the game winner.
The Tigers currently sit in fourth place in the ECAC with Colgate (17-11-3, 11-6-3) trailing them by only two points. In the conference playoffs, the top four teams get home ice advantage in the first round. For Princeton, it might come down to a win over the Bulldogs to stay in the top half of the postseason teams.
Nonetheless, the Bulldogs remain optimistic that they can continue their momentum through the weekend.
“We just want to come out and play for pride and love of the game,” captain and forward Sarah Tittman ’09 said. “As a senior, there would be nothing more satisfying than ending the season on a five-game unbeaten streak.”