W. soccer, as strong as ever, poised to defend Ivy title

At the end of every practice the women's soccer team huddles together to complete the session in a word. "Relentless," the team shouts in unison. It is their chosen mantra for the season. The word sums up the team's aspirations for the coming months. It will stop at nothing to continue the tradition of excellence.

Two years ago, the Tigers shared the Ivy League Championship with Dartmouth and Penn. Last season Princeton won the Ivy League title outright for the first time since 1982. The team went 12-0 before experiencing its first loss to Harvard in overtime. Just before the loss the Tigers were the only undefeated team in the nation. Overall, they lost only two games in the regular season. The season ended with a heartbreaking loss to Penn State in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

Leading this year's team are senior midfielder Elizabeth Bell, senior forward Theresa Sherry, and junior center back Brea Griffiths, tri-captains of the women's soccer team.

Bell commented that the major goals for the season included winning the Ivy League title, winning every game at home, and advancing to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA tournament.

Backing up the leadership, sophomores Madeleine Jackson and Emily Vogelzang are currently splitting time in goal.

"It is not something we've done before, but at the moment it works," head coach Julie Shackford said.

Tiger defense

Princeton plays what is known as a zone defense. As in basketball, the back four cover the space around them rather than a particular player. When a player enters her space a defender picks her up and when she leaves, another defender is responsible. In order for the system to work strong communication is necessary. Coach Shackford believes that good defense "is the cornerstone of the program."

Griffiths, junior left back Janine Willis, junior right back Rochelle Willis and sophomore center back Romy Trigg-Smith, new to the defense, make up the defensive four. Romy replaces Heather Deerin '03, the 2001 Ivy League Player of the Year. Although Deerin's cleats are large ones to fill, Trigg-Smith has filled the position well in the last three games. She brings to the position her unique strength of sending percise long balls to the feet of her teammates.

The Willis twins secure the outside flanks with their speed and strong physical presence. Griffiths heads up the back assuring that communication along the last line stays positive and clear.

Connecting the back four to the midfield is Bell. She enters her fourth year at defensive center midfield. Her vision of the field and ability to move the ball diagonally with minimal touches marks her as the right person for the demanding position. In front of her is the "fireball," sophomore offensive midfielder Emily Behncke. Last year Behncke was named Ivy League Rookie of the Year, posting five goals on the season.

Also competing for time as an offensive midfielder is junior Sylvia Morelli, who returns from an ACL injury last season. Morelli is known for her creative one-on-one foot skills.

Juniors Elizabeth Pillion and Kristina Fontanez along with sophomores Maura Gallagher and Maija Garnaas are all fighting for time at the outside midfield. Fontanez is known for her quick streaks with the ball down the flank. Garnaas dances around defenders with her strong one-on-one skills. Gallagher, who will also find time as a forward, is known for her track star speed. Pillion, a women's lacrosse standout, tallied a game-winner over the weekend.

Sherry and junior Esmeralda Negron, last year's leading scorer, play on the front line. Negron and Sherry both return to the position with strong reputations for scoring game-winning goals.

"This is a talented team with a lot of athletic ability," Shackford commented. "As a team we need to stay focused mentally. We are in the hunt for an Ivy League Championship."