Men's soccer looks to repeat as Ivy champs

The men's soccer team opens its 2002 season against Farleigh Dickinson, the school that ousted the Tigers in the second round of last year's NCAA tournament. Though only a year has passed between the two games, the Princeton team that will take the field Friday night to face the Knights is one markedly different from the one that took the field just a year ago.

The 2001 squad had a nearly perfect Ivy League record en route to a share of the league title with Brown. Princeton was led by an experienced group of seniors both up front and in the backfield. Four players from the class of 2002 contributed in ways both tangible and intangible. Mike Nugent, named 2001 Ivy League Player of the Year and now playing for the Chicago Fire of the MLS, and his offensive counterpart, Lucas Moskowitz, combined for nearly half of the team's 35 goals. Nugent, with 12 goals and 30 points, scored more than a third of the team's points. Matt Behncke, second on the team with points and drafted by the Dallas Burn of the MLS, was solid both offensively and defensively, while Graeme Rein was one of the toughest defenders in the league and named to the Princeton all-decade team.

Despite the success of last season, the present Tigers know it is their job to carve their own destiny.

"Our guys are not at all resting on the accomplishments of last year," head coach Jim Barlow '91 said. "They're doing a good job of putting together an honest, hard effort."

Princeton is led this season by a strong sophomore and junior class who, with experience under their belts, look to teach a nine-player strong freshman class. The team's three starting seniors, winners of two Ivy League championships in their three years, know what it takes to win and will be looked to lead.

Princeton finished last season with a 10-3-5 record. Eight of the team's ten victories were shutouts, and two other scoreless games gave the Tigers a total of 10 shutouts on the year. Senior goalkeeper Jason White, a member of the U.S. 23-and-under team, was the man to thank for setting the team record for shutouts. White, first-team all-Ivy, gave up 15 goals in 18 games, giving him a goals against average of less than one.

The team's other two captains, senior Bob Nye and junior Jeff Hare, also play in the backfield. The 2001 Ivy-league leading defense should be just as strong, if not stronger, this season.

"It's great to have veterans in the back and middle," Barlow said. "Jason [White] is one of the best keepers in the country, and Bob [Nye] and Jeff [Hare] provide some stability in the back."

The Tigers are led offensively by sophomore Adrian Melville, who was third on the team last season in points with 12, including five goals. Senior Matt Douglas and sophomore Ryan Rich, both forwards, combined for a total of 13 assists last year, placing them both in the top 10 in assists in the league.

Princeton, who led the league in shots, points, goals, and assists still have many of the offensive parts intact which made them so powerful last season.

Talented juniors Gianfranco Tripicchio, injured last season, and Marty Shaw will control the midfield, while newcomers Darren Spicer, Marc Dubois and Ben Young are three of a handful of freshmen who will play meaningful minutes in both the midfield and backfield.

Princeton opens its 2002 season against two of its most difficult opponents. On Friday the Tigers play host to FDU, ranked top 20 in the country, then match up against no. 6 Seton Hall Sunday on Lourie-Love Field in a 4-team tournament that also includes Ivy opponent Penn.

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As for the Ivy League, just about any team has a shot at capturing the title. The toughest opponent might be Brown, who split the crown last season but fell short of advancing to the national tournament. Before last season, the Bears won the Ivy League title outright three out of four years. Princeton took the league from Brown in 1999.

"The Ivy League is up for grabs," Barlow said. "Every team is strong. Hopefully through this hard, challenging schedule we'll learn a lot about ourselves in the opening games."