Tough battles await men’s, women’s soccer in Cambridge

Men’s Soccer

Fresh off a thrilling double overtime victory in defending its home turf against West Virginia, the men’s soccer team looks to gain its first Ivy League victory this weekend. The Tigers prepare to make the trip up north to take on the Harvard Crimson in Cambridge, Mass. this Saturday.

After a season that saw them share joint first place in the final Ivy League standings, the Tigers (6-4-2 overall, 0-2-1 Ivy League) have had trouble finding their footing through the first three games of league play. With only four games left in league play, the Tigers have but few opportunities left to move themselves up the ladder to try and gain an NCAA bid.

Taking down Harvard, however, is certainly going to be no easy task. The Crimson (6-4-2, 3-0) stands in a position the Tigers know well — tied with Dartmouth at the top of the league. It also comes into the game at Princeton on a major hot streak, having won its last five games.

As the Tigers attempt to start the second half of their Ivy League campaign anew, look for them to continue to lean heavily on senior forward Tom Sanner and senior midfielder Brendan McSherry to make threats up the field. Sanner has been in star form all season as he leads the Ivy League in goals on the season, with nine total.

He was the man of the day as he found the back of the net twice in the Tigers’ game against West Virginia, both crucial goals for his team. The first came in the 86thminute to bring the Tigers level and send the game into overtime; the second came in the 108thminute to give the Tigers a hard-fought victory.

McSherry, for his part, has been no slouch at all, as he is third in the Ancient Eight in the same category at four goals. Indeed, the Tigers as a team have been able to score in bunches this year, as they lead the league in goals with 22.

Women’s Soccer

As the end of the regular season draws closer, the women’s soccer team has poised itself in prime position to grab an NCAA bid. The Tigers have put themselves atop the Ivy League standing and remain perfect in league play. This weekend, however, features arguably the most important game of their season as they take on the Harvard Crimson, the only other team with a perfect Ivy League record.

Princeton (11-3 overall, 4-0 Ivy League) has been surging more now than it has at any time in recent memory. With their victory over Columbia last weekend, the Tigers pushed their win streak to 9-0, the longest streak since 2012 (which was also the last time they made the NCAA tournament). With just three games left in the season, all of them Ivy League games, their destiny is in their own hands.

It was clear after last season that the Tigers had more than their fair share of offensive weapons on this team. However, few could have expected the level to which this team has performed in terms of scoring this year. Three of the top five scorers in the Ivy League represent the Orange and Black — junior forward Tyler Lussi, freshman forward Mimi Asom and sophomore midfielder Natalie Larkin. Sophomore midfielder Vanessa Gregoire has shown off her talent at setting up her teammates all season, as she leads the league in assists per game.

The Crimson (7-6-1, 4-0), however, certainly has not been in off form itself — it will come intoSaturday’s contest having won its last five games. A booming Tigers offensive will come up against what has become a rock-solid defense — during its win streak, the Crimson has held opponents to an average of .2 goals per game.