In addition to students who commit to colleges through school sports, some athletes commit through other athletic opportunities. One of those students being junior Cecilia Wielenberg, who recently committed to Princeton University, where she will play on the girls hockey team as their goalie. But that’s not all, Wielenberg was also recruited to play with the girls USA U-18 team. This achievement highlights not only her exceptional skills on the ice, but also her dedication and hard work over years of training.
Wielenberg’s hockey career began at the age of six and quickly developed a passion for the sport. She started playing hockey due to a close family friend, playing “in house leagues” throughout her childhood. That decision would later shape her path to becoming an elite goalie.
Princeton isn’t getting just any goalie. Wielenberg stands out as a goalie who brings more than just technical skill to the ice. What separates her from other goalies is her strong hockey knowledge and ability to read the game, letting her anticipate plays and control the pace in high pressure situations.
“Princeton is getting a player who will be fully committed to their team and a player who will consistently strive to improve every single day whether that be in the classroom or on the ice,” teammate Catherine Messersmith said. “But more importantly as a person, Princeton is getting someone who is compassionate, a listener, a leader, and the most loyal friend. They will be gaining someone who will work to elevate those around her.”
Wielenberg described her recruitment process as quick, fun, and stressful, as she navigated through different try-outs with many colleges under a tight time limit. With decisions needing to be made quickly, the fast paced process challenged her while also making the experience exciting and rewarding.
Wielenberg said her decision to commit to Princeton came down to familiarity and trust in the program. Knowing several players who had already committed or were currently on the team, along with her newfound relationships with the coaches, made her confident that she would fit in well and have a positive experience, which ultimately set Princeton apart from other schools she considered, including Brown University.
As Wielenberg prepares for the next chapters of her hockey career, she will continue to balance the demands of being both a student and an athlete. With her commitment to Princeton University and experience competing at a national level, she enters the future with expectations high and opportunities ahead, ready to make an impact both on and off the ice.
