W. soccer beats American in promising season start

The women's soccer team had one of its most successful seasons in its program's history last year, going 13-2-1 in the regular season. Eclipsing that mark may be difficult this year, though the Tigers got off to a great start last Saturday with a convincing 4-1 win over reigning Patriot League champion American University.

Senior forward Theresa Sherry scored the first half's lone goal, and Princeton used a balanced attack to break the game open in a three-goal second half.

Sophomore midfielder Maura Gallagher, one of the first subs off the bench during her freshman campaign, took full advantage of her insertion into the starting lineup. Gallagher netted her first tally of the season less than three minutes into the second half.

Though she often provided fresh legs and a spark last season, the team will need Gallagher to provide more constant scoring with the departure of graduated forward Krista Ariss '03.

After American scored to pull within one at 2-1, junior forward Esmarelda Negron picked up right where she left off last year. A first-team All-Ivy League selection a year ago, Negron led the Tigers in goals from her striker position.

Against American, Negron took a feed from sophomore midfielder Romy Trigg-Smith and extended Princeton's lead to 3-1. The score stayed that way for most of the second half until freshman midfielder Meghan Farrell scored an unassisted goal, the first of her career.

For her goal and solid overall play, Farrell was named Ivy League Rookie of the Week in the first week in which the award was offered. Gallagher and sophomore Emily Behncke each won the award last year.

Junior forward Kristina Fontanez also registered a point in the contest, assisting on Sherry's goal in the first half. Fontanez was one of the leading scorers on the 2002 squad.

Sophomores Emily Vogelzang and Madeleine Jackson each played a half in net to combine for the win. Vogelzang needed to make just two saves in the first 45 minutes, while Jackson allowed one goal on the eight shots she faced.

The Women's Soccer Team Version 2003 (hereafter known as WS2k3) is a much younger team than WS2k2. Gone are departed graduates Krista and twin sister Lynn Ariss, Kelly Sosa, Heather Deerin and Joan Cundey (all from the Class of '03). Jean Poster, last year's starting goalkeeper, has also given way to the new sophomore keepers.

WS2k3 will rely much more on an extensive core of sophomores and juniors. While that may suggest a certain degree of youth and inexperience, most of the returning players have seen significant minutes over the last two years. In fact, aside from Vogelzang, the entire starting lineup for WS2k3 played regularly last year, including six that were starters.

The back three of juniors Brea Griffiths and twins Rochelle and Janine Willis should give Princeton a solid backbone, as all three started and played nearly every minute last season.

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The senior leadership contingent of Sherry and midfielder Liz Bell should also provide leadership both on and off the field. Sherry has already shown her scoring prowess and Bell has one of the hardest shots on free kicks in the Ivy League. Bell is also a physical player, capable of controlling the entire middle of the field from her central position.

The Tigers next play this weekend in the Princeton Invitational. On Friday at 7:30 p.m., WS2k3 will take on UNC-Greensboro. The team's second matchup is on Sunday against Saint Louis at 2:30 p.m. Penn is the fourth team in the invitational, but the Tigers and Quakers will not meet this weekend. Princeton does not play Penn until the two meet Nov. 8 in Philadelphia in the Tigers' regular season finale.