Princeton Skates to Tie with BC

-- Senior Marykate Oakley scored a goal and had an assist as the Princeton women's hockey team opened the 2007-08 season with a 2-2 tie against seventh-ranked Boston College on Friday night at Hobey Baker Rink. It marked the third time in as many seasons that the teams tied 2-2 in Princeton's season-opener.

The Tigers got off to a fast start, converting on a power-play goal 1:10 into the game. With Boston College's Beck Zavisva serving a hooking penalty, senior Lizzie Keady and freshman Sasha Sherry worked the puck back-and-forth at the points. Keady set up Sherry with a one-time that was blocked aside, but the loose puck came to Oakley who shot it past Boston College goalkeeper Molly Schaus to give Princeton its first lead of the season.

The Eagles answered back four minutes later by capitalizing on a Tiger turnover. Deborah Spillane intercepted a pass and went in on Princeton goaltender Kristen Young. Young made the initial save but Megan Keever pounced on the rebound and scored to even the score.

Ten minutes later Spillane took advantage of another Tiger turnover. She picked up the puck in the offensive zone and came in on Young on the off wing and roofed a shot to give Boston College a 2-1 lead.

The first period ended with Boston College ahead 2-1. The Tigers evened the score up at 11:51 of the second period with their second power-play goal of the night. This time, junior Annie Greenwood got the puck to Oakley behind the net. Oakley circled along the boards and fed the puck to senior Brittany Salmon, who slid a shot under Schaus to tie the game at 2-2.

Neither team was able to score in the third period or overtime as Schaus and Young held ground and held their opponents scoreless. Young finished the night with 26 saves, including 12 in the third period, while Schaus made 23 saves.

The tie was the third-straight 2-2 tie between Princeton and Boston College, and all three have come in Princeton's season openers. The game prior to the three also went to overtime, with Princeton winning that game 3-2.

Princeton is now 0-0-1 overall and returns to action on Sunday afternoon against Quinnipiac at 2 p.m.