After tough first half, women's soccer dispatches Stony Brook

Roughly 48 hours after its first win in the Ivy League this season, the women's soccer team was back on its own field, looking to extend its four-game shutout streak.

Stony Brook (0-5-1 overall, 0-1-1 America East) did its best to end the Tigers' four-game streak in the first half before finally falling, 3-0. The Seawolves opened the game with several runs deep into Princeton's side and matched the Tigers (4-0, 1-0 Ivy League) step for step on defense.

"They fought hard," head coach Julie Shackford said. "They really made it tough on us."

The lingering effects of Sunday's 1-0 win over Dartmouth clearly slowed down Princeton's attack. The Tigers lacked much of the touch and speed that has keyed the offense so far this season.

"We weren't as sharp," assistant coach Julie Shaner '01 said. "48 hours after a big game, it's tough to play that next game."

Unable to take advantage of any speed differential in the first half, Princeton came out with a slightly different approach in the second.

"We changed some personnel around [in the second half]," Shaner said. "We did what we could to try to get the end line."

The changes made the difference, as the Tigers regained their scoring touch early in the second half.

Freshman midfielder Esmeralda Negron scored the game winner off a centering pass from junior forward Joan Cundey. The goal, however, was not Negron's most impressive play of the evening.

Shortly before scoring her only tally of the night, Negron gave the Seawolves a footwork clinic in deep in their own end. Conrtolling the ball in the corner, the freshman shook not one, but two consecutive Stoney Brook defenders before firing a shot that was redirected wide by the keeper.

"This game was very tough mentally," Negron said. "We really didn't come out ready."

While the Tigers opened the game flatfooted, they ultimately took advantage of their strengths — defense and speed — to push the shutout streak to four games.

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Freshmen defender Rochelle Willis and her sister — freshman forward Janine Willis — showcased the talent that has made them two of the many freshmen standouts on this year's team.

Rochelle Willis and junior midfielder Alex Fiore put the lock down on Stony Brook's attack and stayed under control in transition, leading to more scoring opportunities in the second half. Fiore also tallied an assist on the second goal, scored by junior forward Krista Ariss.

Janine Willis scored the third and final goal for Princeton on a breakaway after taking a lead pass from junior midfielder Heather Deerin.