Recently, senior defender Bob Nye of the men's soccer team sat down with 'Prince' senior writer Ross Mazo.
'Prince': What are your hopes for this year's season?
Nye: It has been a rough start but if we can come back and win our remaining five games this season, then we might be able to win the Ivy League and qualify for the national tournament.
P: What is the difference between last year's team and this year?
N: I would say that we are as talented as last year's team, but we just lack maturity. At times we will start six freshmen and one senior, and that is very different from last year. After last year, I can see the tiny difference between wins and losses in men's college soccer. The four years of maturity makes a lot of difference.
P: What was your best memory from Princeton soccer?
N: My freshman year we played Yale in the final game of the season and it was for the Ivy League championship. It was a night game, and it felt like there were 3000 people. There was a lot of excitement because of both the Ivy League championship and the rivalry. We tied in double overtime, and that tie was enough for us to win the Ivy League. And from then on I expected we would win every season. Now that I am a senior I realize that we do not have that opportunity very often.
P: Are there any players that you model yourself after?
N: Staying within the program I would say Chad Adams '00 who was a senior my freshman year was both a great player and a really good guy.
He had a difficult career here because he was injury-plagued, but he really led the team through example and you felt compelled to win or lose with him.
You just always wanted to be on the field with him. [Defender] Matt Behncke '02 and [forward] Mike Nugent '02 were more soccer related just because of sheer talent, but Adams was such a great leader.
P: You are from the Philadelphia area right? Are you glad that you stayed so close to home?
N: I am really glad that I went to college in the area. My parents might be more excited that I am so close to home, but it is nice. They have only missed one game in my Princeton career. It was a little embarrassing when they were waiting for me at the hotel when we played Dartmouth as a freshman. The team made fun of me for it, but it is nice to have their support.
Also, I can get my laundry done at home whenever I want.
P: Do you have any major talents besides soccer? Are you also a Mario Kart player?
N: No, contrary to Nugent, I do not spend all my time playing video games. I would say it is a compliment to me that I do not play a lot of video games. I did start skateboarding this summer, and I have been cruising around campus on my board. Coach Barlow told me there would be hell to pay if I get hurt skateboarding. Apparently it is not a good idea to skateboard in the rain. I was going down Prospect towards the light, and I tried to stop, but I slid out and ate it right in front of a car. I got up and gave a bow to everyone laughing at me. I think the only thing hurt was my ego.
P: Were you in that fashion show last year?
N: Yes, I was in the fashion show. It was an interesting experience. I have to credit Teddy Van Buren for getting me to do it. Hey, it was for a great cause. I am still living down those pictures of me in a Speedo.
I was told by some of the girls that I had to put on the baby oil for the show, so that made it interesting. I would say it was an interesting experience but I do not think I will be doing it again this year.
But other than that, the Speedo will stay in the closet this year. I might break it out for some inner tube water polo, but that is not too likely.
P: Are you a big soccer fan outside of Princeton?
N: To tell you the truth, I would far prefer to watch Monday Night Football instead of the MLS. I am definitely a bigger Eagles fan than a Metro Stars fan, so you can fault me for not supporting American soccer.
It is fun to watch MLS sometimes because I know or have played against a number of the guys who are playing in the MLS now. But on the other hand, when Nugent comes back he complains about not making any money and living with his parents, so I am not missing that too much.
P: Does this year's team have the potential to come back and go on to win the Ivy League?
N: I do think that we have that kind of potential. The way we played against American last week shows the kind of potential that we have. They were ranked either 10th or 11th and we controlled the game much more than the 3-2 score indicates.
P: Does anyone on the team ever read the Prince articles or is it just our parents?
N: I think we all read it to see if our names are in the paper. You guys have been very generous this season, I figured you would be bashing us this season, but you have been kind. But I guess that people probably look at the pictures more than the articles.
P: If you were not playing soccer what would you be doing at Princeton or in general? Does it hold you back from anything?
N: On the contrary, I would say that soccer really opens up a lot of doors for me. A lot of people will join fraternities or sororities, but coming in as a freshman I already had my fraternity in the soccer team. Maybe I would be doing something else if I was not playing soccer, but I am really glad that I am a part of this team.
P: Has the team started to get frustrated with its inability to win close games or has it reached a state of anger?
N: At the beginning it was more frustration. In the past we would always win these games and it is difficult to adjust. I think the players and the coaches have done a great job of channeling this frustration into problem solving.
A lot of teams would just throw it in by now and call this a transition year, but none of us have that attitude.
Our training sessions have been as good as ever recently. I certainly do not want my senior year to be a transition year and I expect to win out the Ivy League and there is no reason why we shouldn't.
P: What is your plan for after Princeton?
N: I think I will have to hang up the boots and get on with the rest of my life. I am applying to a number of jobs right now, and that is an interesting experience.
Read More
Six for six: men’s and women’s track and field both complete triple crown
Luke StocklessMen’s and women’s track and field each won the Ivy League title this past weekend, capping off a dominant season in which both teams won the triple crown — a feat not seen in 14 years.
Men’s and women’s track and field each won the Ivy League title this past weekend, capping off a dominant season in which both teams won the triple crown — a feat not seen in 14 years.
Nation’s No. 2 miler Mena Scatchard ’25 to transfer to Stanford for graduate year
Luke StocklessThe Tigers’ most decorated distance runner ever has decided to use her final year of eligibility at Stanford after graduating from Princeton this May.
The Tigers’ most decorated distance runner ever has decided to use her final year of eligibility at Stanford after graduating from Princeton this May.
Two-way treats: Shenefelt and Kram do it all for Princeton baseball team
Joseph UglialoroThe baseball team features two players who hit and pitch, a rarity at the college level. Nick Shenefelt and Kaden Kram each took unique paths to playing both ways this season.
The baseball team features two players who hit and pitch, a rarity at the college level. Nick Shenefelt and Kaden Kram each took unique paths to playing both ways this season.