Nugent, back at full strength, sets sights on scoring crown

With fewer than ten minutes remaining in the first half against Seton Hall on Oct. 11, a hard slide tackle and bad luck ruined Mike Nugent's junior season, and drastically damaged the Princeton soccer team's offense.

Before the season ending injury, Nugent led the Ivy League in goals scored and was headed for his second All-Ivy selection and possibly a second Ivy League championship. But after the high ankle sprain, Nugent was not able to reach his full capacity for the rest of the season.

Now, though, the ankle is back to 100 percent, and Nugent is more excited and focused for this season than he has been in his entire career.

Growing up 10 minutes away from Princeton, playing soccer for the Tigers was an easy choice for Nugent. A soccer player all of his life, Nugent has devoted his athleticism to the pitch since his freshman year of high school.

Nugent has been a four-year starter for the Tigers at forward, and he admits with no hesitation, "I want to score as many goals as possible, and any forward who denies that he is interested in the scoring title is a liar."

After a strong freshman season, Nugent was a First Team All-Ivy selection as a sophomore.

"I was very frustrated last year when I had to sit out. I have always played and it was really difficult for me to watch my team not reach its goals. The ankle injury was painful for me, but it gives me even more motivation for this year."

Nugent is quick to mention that a major reason for his success is the strong core of teammates that he has played with since his freshman year. "[Midfielder] Matt Behncke, [forward] Lucas Moskowitz and [defender] Graeme Rein are such great players, and we are all really close on and off the field. These guys know where I am going to be and they always seem to set me up with great shots. We have been playing together for so long, I have total trust in them."

With a huge amount of experience, and talented underclassmen, Nugent believes that the Tigers are the most talented team in the league.

"With the talent on our team, if we play well, we should have an amazing season."

Determined not to regret anything about his senior season, Nugent has worked extremely hard this off-season to be in the best shape of his career. "After my injury last year, I knew I could not leave anything up to chance, and I want to be as strong and as powerful that I possibly can.

"I loved every minute of our championship season my sophomore year, and I really want to feel that again. If we can remain focused all season, I know that we will be better than the '99 team.