For 82 minutes, they were patient. Despite being frustrated by shots of the post and crossbar, a Monmouth defense that appeared to have 15 players in its own penalty box at all times, and several spectacular saves by Hawks goalkeeper Abby Stiffler, the women's soccer team kept its composure and bided its time.
Finally, with just over eight minutes left in the game, the Tigers pounced. Senior captain Kelly Sosa sent a cross in from the right corner that found several heads, including that of senior forward Krista Ariss. The ball ricocheted high in the air, giving sophomore defender Brea Griffiths an opening. As the ball hung in mid-air, Griffiths glimpsed her opening. She ran onto the play perfectly in stride, blistering into the back of the net the same ball that had stunted the Tigers all night long.
Two minutes later, sophomore forward Kristina Fontanez knocked in a shot off a Monmouth defender for the insurance goal and a 2-0 Princeton win. The victory upped the Tigers' record to 5-0, while the Hawks dropped to 3-3 after opening the season 3-0.
The patience that Princeton showed on the field started to wear thin in the second half. Noticing that Monmouth could not, and in fact did not try, to mount an offensive attack, head coach Julie Shackford changed the team's formation at halftime.
"We moved Brea up to the midfield because we didnt need four defenders if they weren't going to push up," Sosa said. "Instead of playing four in the back and only two up front, we moved into a 3-4-3 so we could try to get a goal."
For the majority of the second half, though, the Tigers still could not change their luck. Sophomore defender Rochelle Willis, junior midfielder Theresa Sherry and Fontanez all hit either posts, crossbars or the side netting in the game.
"We just kept pushing," Griffiths said. "We knew we had to keep pushing forward, keep getting scoring chances and keep taking more shots."
The number of shots was not the problem. Princeton outshot Mon-mouth 31-3 for the game and took six corners compared to the Hawks' one.
"It was certainly tough for us to stay composed," Griffiths said. "We knew that we should've put the game away long before (we scored). But we also knew that there was plenty of time left and if we kept up the pressure then one of our shots would go in."
While the first half saw no scoring, there was hardly a dearth of excitement. For the first twenty minutes, the Tigers seemed to be testing the waters, as if they were a group of soldiers trying to find a chink in the armor of the defense. They attacked in nearly every way imaginable: through balls, overlaps, give-and-gos, balls sent over the top, and even some one-on-one moves.
"They were really packing it in on defense," Griffiths said. "We had a hard time getting off clean shots in the first half."
In fact, the Tigers had a tough time finding a clean shot the entire game. Resigning themselves to defense and playing for a tie against the 21st-ranked team in country, Monmouth went for stretches as long as twenty minutes with all 11 players in the defensive zone.
Consequently, junior keeper Jean Poster had to make just one save to record her third shutout.
In the second half, the Tigers came out of the blocks with a burst. Just over a minute into the half, a potential Princeton goal was disallowed after a late and controversial offsides call.
Four minutes later, diaper dandy Maura Gallagher sent in a beautiful cross that couldn't find a teammate and the ball was eventually cleared.
Griffiths nearly got on the board three minutes before her goal when she sent a rocket shot in from 25 yards that Stiffler barely got a hand on. The bouncing ball came to Sosa, but the senior was unable to find the net and the ball was once again cleared.
While the victory should certainly help the squad's confidence, Griffiths was quick to point out that no one should be completely satisfied with the win.
"Our goal is to go undefeateed this season," Griffiths said. "We have a lot of games left to play. This is just part of it."
Read More
Women’s ice hockey names Courtney Kessel as new head coach
Lily PampolinaFollowing the resignation of Cara Gardner Morey, Princeton appointed Courtney Kessel as head coach.
Following the resignation of Cara Gardner Morey, Princeton appointed Courtney Kessel as head coach.
Former women’s basketball forward Parker Hill ’25 signs professional contract in Switzerland
Doug SchwartzAfter a successful senior season, women's basketball forward Parker Hill signed a contact to play professional basketball in Europe, following in the steps of her past teammates.
After a successful senior season, women's basketball forward Parker Hill signed a contact to play professional basketball in Europe, following in the steps of her past teammates.
No. 7 women’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals against No. 1 UNC
Hayk YengibaryanWith the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
With the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.