GOING OFF: Princeton University field hockey goalie Anya Gersoff, right, enjoys the moment after a 2014 win. Last Saturday against visiting Cornell, senior star Gersoff made five saves in earning the shutout as 20th-ranked Princeton defeated the Big Red 4-0 and earned at least a tie for the Ivy League title. The win marked Princeton’s 21st league crown in the last 22 seasons and 11th in a row. The Tigers, now 9-6 overall and 6-0 Ivy, play at Penn, 13-2 overall and 5-1 Ivy, on November 7 with the winner to get the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Anya Gersoff and the other members of the Class of 2016 on the Princeton University field hockey team were showered with affection in the program’s annual Senior Day ceremony last Saturday.

As the Tigers took the field to host Cornell, star goalie Gersoff was looking to return the favor.

“I am very appreciative of the opportunities I have been given because of being part of Princeton field hockey,” said Gersoff, who was honored along with classmates Maddie Copeland, Kate Ferrara, Debi-Michelle Jantzen, Teresa Benvenuti, and Saskia de Quant. “All I wanted to do was to allow my play to reflect that appreciation.”

With 20th-ranked Princeton clinging to a 2-0 lead late in the first half against the Big Red in a critical Ivy League contest, Gersoff showed her appreciation by making a terrific save to keep that cushion going into intermission.

“Games like this are tough because you never know when you are going to have to do something but I was happy that I was able to come through when my team needed me,” said Gersoff.

Princeton came through in the second half as senior star Copeland scored two goals and the defense held the fort as the Tigers earned a 4-0 victory and earned at least a tie for the Ivy League title. Princeton, now 9-6 overall and 6-0 Ivy, plays at Penn, 13-2 overall and 5-1 Ivy, on November 7 with the winner to get the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. It marked Princeton’s 21st league crown in the last 22 seasons and 11th in a row.

“I do think we took control of the game; I think it just came down to the fact that we had more energy and team spirit than them towards the end,” said Gersoff, who recorded five saves in the win. “It really showed in our play there.”

Gersoff was thrilled with the energy the Tigers displayed on defense. “It is amazing, we have so many talented kids up here and everybody gave so much heart today,” said Gersoff, reflecting on the team’s defensive unit. “You can’t ask for better than that.”

Princeton showed heart late in the contest when it survived three straight penalty corners to preserve the shutout.

“I was a little nervous because their corner unit is very good but we practiced hard all week and I knew we would be able to handle it,” said Gersoff, who has a goals against average of 2.30 this season with three shutouts.

In reflecting on her progress over her career, Gersoff cited the influence of the Tiger coaching staff.

“I have had a lot of experience and I owe it all to coach Dave Williamson (assistant coach in charge of goalkeeping),” said Gersoff. “Without him I would never be where I am today, he has taught me everything.”

Gersoff has enjoyed a rich athletic experience at Princeton as she also stars as a midfielder for the Tiger women’s lacrosse team.

“It is a little tough, I am really lucky to have two coaching staffs that support me and are always there for me,” added Gersoff, who has 61 goals and 13 assists in her college lax career.

“Coach (Chris) Sailer was here today. Kristen comes out to lacrosse games. I have to stay in lacrosse shape during field hockey season so that is a little tough. I make it work and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Princeton head coach Kristen Holmes-Winn was pleased with the way things went on Senior Day.

“We just want to make sure that we honor them by playing our best hockey,” said Holmes-Winn.

“The focus for today was the details of the game and the tactics. It was to make sure that we were controlling our emotion. We wanted it to be to our advantage and I thought it was clear today that everyone wanted to make sure that the memory of the seniors’ last game on Bedford Field was a win.”

Holmes-Winn wasn’t surprised that Gersoff controlled things in the cage. “Anya had just an unbelievable warmup, I was thinking wow this girl was dialed in,” said Holmes-Winn.

“She was very sharp. Anya’s save before halftime was just a world class save. That was a huge moment, it gave us a two-goal cushion going into the half.”

The Princeton defense kept dialed in as Cornell furiously tried to mount a rally in the second half.

“In the second half, they came out having to score two goals so they were really pressing us,” said Holmes-Winn.

“They were putting their fullback in the midfield to try to overload zones. I think we weathered that storm really well. The corner defense was just awesome.”

Copeland continued her awesome senior season, scoring two goals in a three-minute span to put the game out of reach.

“It is not just finishing the goals, it is the mentality she brings to the group,” said Holmes-Winn of the former Stuart Country Day and Peddie star who has a team-high and career-best 15 goals this fall.

“She is super competitive and she just loves to connect, she loves to score. Her defense has been so much better, what she does on the press is really, really smart. She knows when to stay high, she knows when to help. All of those little things just help contribute to what has been an upward tick in her whole play this season.”

With Princeton heading into a vital clash at Penn, 13-2 overall and 5-1 Ivy, on November 7, that will determine who gets the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, Holmes-Winn believes her team is primed to compete hard.

“I think it was really good for the girls, having a lot of confidence,” said Holmes-Winn.

“They train really, really hard. These last four weeks we have been pushing them really hard so we are in a nice taper phase right now. We are going to be fresh as daisies come Saturday.”

Gersoff, for her part, is confident that the Tigers will keep pushing. “We have got to close that out and we’ll see what happens from there,” said Gersoff.

“I think today was a really pivotal game for us because we have struggled in the Ivy League a little bit. We haven’t been as dominant. I think it is a big step forward and it is going to be how we take the momentum forward this week and roll with it.”