CREASE CONTROL: Princeton University women’s lacrosse goalie Amelia Hughes goes after the ball in the crease last Saturday as the Tigers hosted Dartmouth. Senior goalie Hughes made eight saves to help the Tigers prevail 17-7 over the Big Green. Princeton, now 9-6 overall and 5-2 Ivy League, will now compete in the league’s postseason tournament this weekend in New Haven, Conn. The Tigers are seeded third and will face second-seeded Penn in a semifinal contest on May 1 with the victor advancing to the final on May 3 against the winner of the other semi between top-seeded Yale and fourth-seeded Brown. (Photo by Frank Jacobs III)

By Justin Feil

Amelia Hughes has reached the point in her college career when she’s playing to extend it as long as possible.

The Princeton University women’s lacrosse goalie was one of nine seniors that celebrated their final game at Class of 1952 Stadium with a 17-7 win over Dartmouth on Saturday.

“Before the game, we were all definitely very sentimental and we’re definitely able to reflect on the last four years,” said Hughes.

“But then I think once you get to the field, it’s a lot more focused, dialed in for the game. And then again, like fourth quarter when the clock was winding down, it was kind of all sinking in. It was Senior Day. It’s the last time we’re going to be on that field. And that’s when I think we also got to really reflect and get emotional.”

Hughes made eight saves to lead the defense while Meg Morrisroe scored five goals, Jami MacDonald tallied four goals and Haven Dora had a goal and five assists to spark the attack as Princeton won its fourth straight game to improve to 9-6 overall and 5-2 Ivy League. The Tigers will compete in the league’s postseason tournament this weekend in New Haven, Conn. The Tigers are seeded third and will face second-seeded Penn in a semifinal contest on May 1 with the victor advancing to the final on May 3 against the winner of the other semi between top-seeded Yale and fourth-seeded Brown.

Princeton will start the tournament looking to avenge a 10-9 double-overtime loss to Penn two weeks ago.

“We definitely want revenge,” said Hughes. “I mean, we had a really good game with them last time. The overtime loss obviously stings still so it’s really fun that we get to have the chance to play against them again so soon after. And then again we really do want the Ivy League Tournament championship. That would be a lot of fun. And I think we’ve put in a lot of work. So we want to go out there and win it all.”

It’s one of the final pieces left to accomplish for the Class of 2026 to close their college careers. The seniors have submitted their thesis, have attended their final classes and they have their last finals to take. The Ivy tournament feels like a final test. Princeton likely needs to win it to earn the automatic berth into the NCAA tournament. The Tigers have picked up their play over the final four regular season games since the loss to Penn.

“We’ve cleaned up on a lot of like the little details around the field, like less turnovers, kind of really making the most of our opportunities, coming up with big stops and then following them with goals, like scoring a goal and then getting a stop,” said Hughes. “So I think we’ve kind of been able to limit the errors and ensuring bigger plays together. I think also the last four games have given us a lot of confidence and we’ve gotten to show a lot of different looks and I think that’ll definitely carry us through into this game.”

Hughes and the defense have been particularly effective in the stretch. They haven’t allowed double-digit goals in any of those games – they also didn’t allow double digit goals in regulation to Penn in the loss – and Hughes hasn’t been called on to make as many saves as some games.

“Defense has been playing phenomenal,” said Hughes. “There’s been a lot of caused turnovers and a lot of plays in big moments, a lot of interceptions, just stopping the ball, getting sticks in the way of shots, which has been so fun to see. Especially I feel like man-down we got a bunch of good stops in man-down (Saturday) which is definitely an area of improvement from the beginning of the season so I think defense has been playing really great coming up with a lot of clutch stops and when they make a big stop it makes you want to stop the next one even more.”

Hughes has been a standout starter over her four years. She came in from Wilton, Conn., and was thrust into the starting role to fill some big shoes as she succeeded Sam Fish in the cage. She was Ivy Goalkeeper of the Year as a sophomore and has been first- or second-team All-Ivy each of her previous three seasons. She ranks second in total saves among all active goalies with 670. Her experience has proven invaluable to the Tigers.

“I definitely feel a big change between freshman year and now,” said Hughes, who had posted a 10.76 goals against average and a .511 save percentage this season. “Just for starters, so much more confidence. I’ve been playing with these girls for so long now and definitely understand the speed of the game a lot more. And then also I’m definitely a lot more vocal now. A lot of these defenders I’ve been playing with for four years now, so much more better able to communicate with them, talk to them, and kind of expect what’s going to happen on the field. So I think that’s definitely been a plus.”

Hughes has been a calm presence for the Tigers, who faced some must-win games down the stretch to earn a spot in the Ivy tournament. They played one of their most complete games in the win over Dartmouth. It was the perfect home field send-off in a game to tune up for the Ivy tournament.

“Mentally we were definitely in the right place before the game,” said Hughes. “Everyone was super hyped in the locker room before and in the team room with the coaches. I think we had a pretty good warm up too, which always helps. And then I think during the game, I think it started off the draw. Dartmouth has a really good draw taker and Ella [Sloan] and the draw girls were really able to win the draw. I think it started with the draw and that gave us all a lot of confidence and then we kind of used that all over. The attack was scoring a lot of cool goals. So I think just seeing everyone have a lot of fun out there, it was like we had something to play for and we all were really happy to be out on the field.”

It was another good memory for Hughes, who has enjoyed her career start to finish. She’s hoping now to extend her career into the NCAA tournament. Good goalie play can go a long way in helping a team, and Hughes has the experience and skill to step up for the Tigers. She’s ready for the pressure of the moment.

“One of the things that our defense talks about all the time when we’re playing close games or playoff games or anything where it’s on the line is, this is what we play for,” said Hughes. “This is what we dreamed of playing and the types of games we’ve always wanted to be in since we were just young girls. So I think it is just remembering that the pressure is a privilege and this is what we want to do. I think that definitely helps us set our minds straight and use what could be seen as negative pressure and turn it into a good thing that fuels us instead of makes us scared. So I think applying that in these games is going to be important, but I do think it’ll be fun to see. And it’s definitely a position with a lot of pressure, but I’m excited to use it in the right way.”

Princeton reached last year’s Ivy tournament final but lost to Yale. The Tigers last won the tourney in 2022 and Hughes would like nothing more than to celebrate an Ivy crown in her final season. She wants to make the most of her last shot.

“It’s definitely helpful,” said Hughes. “Last year we kind of had a (NCAA) tournament spot sealed off even before the Ivy tournament. This year with it being do-or-die and then also knowing like this is it for good, there’s no next year, I think that’ll definitely fuel us a lot and give us another reason to work hard and play for each other.”