Men's soccer hopes to start season anew in Ivy League vs. Brown

The men's soccer teams at both Princeton and Brown are used to the view from the top.

The Tigers and Bears have combined for each of the last five Ivy League championships, with Princeton taking one, Brown taking three and the two sharing the honors last year.

Trips to the NCAA tournament, while always exciting, are nothing new to either of these teams. Usually their annual meeting represents the best the Ivy League has to offer, and to the victor goes the knowledge that the championship is most likely within its grasp.

But this year is anything but usual.

Both Princeton (2-6-3 overall, 0-2 Ivy League) and Brown (4-3-3, 0-1-1) limp into tonight's 7:30 game at Lourie-Love Field with less than stellar records.

Although only Penn is 2-0 in the Ivy League to this point, both the Bears and the Tigers feel the pressure of being winless in conference play. If they want to continue their recent dominance of the Ivy title, both teams know that they need to win their league games from here on out.

Twins

The two teams are similar in that most of their games have been very close and could have turned out in their favor but for an unlucky bounce in one way or another.

For example, take the Bears' and Tigers' games against Columbia, the only opponent the two have in common.

Against the Lions, Princeton controlled the tempo of play and even scored first as sophomore forward Adrian Melville put the ball in the Columbia net in the 79th minute.

The Tigers thought they were headed to a key league win.

But the referee whistled Melville for pushing off and the goal was recalled. Columbia got on the board six minutes later and held on for the 1-0 win, denying the Tigers their first Ivy victory of the season.

No cigar

Brown also came tantalizingly close to victory over the Lions before eventually settling for a 1-1 tie.

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With 20 seconds remaining in the second overtime, Ibrahim Diane shot the ball wide on an open net and the Bears, too, remained winless in the league.

Offensively, Brown has been led by junior forward Adom Crew. Crew ranks first on the team with 10 goals, while two teammates come in a distant second at three goals apiece.

If the Tigers want to take down Brown, they will have to contain Crew and avoid the mental lapses that have plagued them this season.

"We are still trying to concentrate on the mistakes that have led to giving away goals, including missed clears, bad fouls, and restarts," head coach Jim Barlow '91 said.

"That remains our highest priority in the coming matches – finding ways to avoid the inexperienced mistakes and win."

Although Princeton's record may not yet reflect it, Barlow feels that the team has been cutting down on its mistakes and improving as the season has progressed.

"Beginning with the second half of Georgetown, we've made a lot of progress in terms of staying connected, moving the ball, and creating chances," Barlow said.

While the Tigers are aware of Crew and Brown's other individually talented players, they are more concerned with their own game.

"Brown has some special players we will need to be concerned about, but we are more concerned with our team, with how we can dictate the tempo, finish our attacks, and keep it tight in the back," Barlow said.

If they do all this, the Tigers should be able to get that important first Ivy win of the season and take their first steps back towards the top of the heap.