It may not have been a perfect game, but the women's soccer team did what it needed to do. Junior forward Esmeralda Negron extended her streak of scoring in every game this season as Princeton (5-0-1) defeated visiting Hartford, 3-1, on Lourie Love Field.
Negron tallied twice in the second half amidst countless other offensive opportunities for the Tigers. With the two goals last night, Negron now leads the team with seven on the season.
"I try not to think about [the streak]," Negron said. "I don't want to jinx myself. As a forward, your goal every game is to score. I've been pretty lucky this season."
Sophomore midfielder Emily Behncke continued to put up strong numbers, assisting on two Princeton goals. Despite her penchant for making it into the box score, head coach Julie Shackford has been reserved about Behncke's play thus far.
"Behncke's getting better every game," Shackford said. "She's definitely getting there."
Behncke found herself out of the starting lineup tonight, picking up her assists in limited action. Shackford said the decision was based on her desire to rest the sophomore standout, and had nothing to do with her play.
Coming into the game, the team knew it would have to guard against fatigue. The Tigers played two games in California over the weekend, and only returned to New Jersey early Monday morning.
"We didn't come out very well," Negron said. "I think it had a lot to do with jet lag, not sleeping very much and having to catch up with all of our work."
The team's tired legs showed early as Princeton did not have a good scoring chance for nearly 25 minutes of the first half.
With just under 15 minutes to go in the first frame, the Lady Tigers finally broke through. Behncke played a ball up the middle of the field, leading freshman Meghan Farrell. Farrell ran onto the ball and hit a right-footed shot that Hartford keeper Heather Hinton seemed to overrun. The ball caromed off Hinton's hands as she tried to reach back for it, but it found the net just the same.
Behncke assisted on Negron's first goal of the second half, while Gallagher picked up the dish on the second.
On Saturday, Princeton opens its Ivy League schedule with a game under the lights at Princeton Stadium against Yale.
"I think this game will be a good motivator for our upcoming games," sophomore midfielder Maura Gallagher said. "We know what we need to work on, and we know we can play better."
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.