All good things must come to an end. For seniors Jeff Hare, Gianfranco Trippichio, Marty Shaw, Jason Bell and Vincent Vitale of the men's soccer team, that end comes tomorrow afternoon at Lourie-Love Field.
The Tigers host Yale in their final game of the season, and for these seniors, their final game donning the orange and black. It is every athlete's dream to go out like Michael Jordan — the second time — and the Tigers (6-7-3 overall, 3-2-1 Ivy League) will have more at stake this weekend than simply improving their record.
"You want to win all your games, and you certainly want to win your last game," Hare said. "This is my last chance to play with these guys and at Princeton, and I want to go out on a good note."
But before the violins start playing for the Tigers, there is a game to be played. Although Princeton is already mathematically eliminated from the race for the Ivy League title, second place in the Ancient Eight is still up for grabs, and the game does not lack significance. The Tigers are tied with Columbia for third in the league, while Yale (9-6-1, 4-1-1) comes into the game nipping at Brown's heels for the Ivy crown.
Last week the epicenter of Ivy League play was in New Haven, Conn., as the two top teams — Yale and Brown — met to determine the league champion. The Bears came into the contest with an undefeated league record, while Yale's lone blemish was a 1-0 loss to Cornell earlier in the season. A Yale victory would have evened the two teams' league records at 4-1, setting them up to share the title and giving Yale the nod for the automatic NCAA tournament bid that comes with the Ivy League crown. But the gods did not smile on the Bulldogs, and the 1-1 tie guaranteed Brown the automatic bid to the tournament.
What is not yet guaranteed is that Brown will wear the victor's laurels alone. Although the Bears' slight edge gives them the nod in the eyes of the tournament, Ivy League champions are designated without regards to head-to-head records. If Yale beats Princeton on Saturday and Brown falls to Dartmouth, both will have identical 5-1-1 league records and will share the Ivy title.
But the Tigers are more concerned with their own prospects.
"I think everyone's been working hard," sophomore forward Darren Spicer said. "We haven't given up. [The chance for second place] is definitely motivating, but that's not the only reason everyone's still playing."
A Princeton victory Saturday would propel the Tigers' record to 4-2-1, while simultaneously dropping the Bulldogs' record to the same level. This would guarantee Princeton at least a share of second place, a silver medal that will be split three ways if Columbia also wins at Cornell.
A second-place finish would at least partially indicate the improvements that Princeton has made throughout the entire season. The Tigers followed an impressive overtime victory at Dartmouth with a three-game winless streak in which they could not find the back of the net.
Another overtime victory, this one over Cornell on Halloween, sparked Princeton's late-season resurgence. Although sitting near the bottom of the league standings, the Tigers climbed the ladder with that win, followed by a strong win at Penn last Saturday.
"We had a good start this season and then we definitely hit a tough spell losing a couple in a row," Hare said. "Still, I think our last couple games have been pretty good. Beating Penn was a great win. We played well in that game and were able to make the most of our scoring opportunities."
Alex Reison and Ben Young, both sophomore midfielders, figured prominently in the Tigers' win at Penn and will be called upon to contribute tomorrow as well. The two scored all three of Princeton's goals in the contest, and each collected an assist as well. The Tigers will need their offense to be firing on all cylinders, as Yale has allowed a stingy 1.12 goals a game.
On the defensive end of the field, Princeton will have to be wary of Bulldog playmakers Andrew Dealy and Jay Albert. Dealy sets the goals up for Yale, and Albert knocks them in, packing a punch for the Bulldog offense. Dealy leads the Ivy League with eight assists — three more than the next player — while Albert averages 2.75 shots per game for a team-leading five goals.
Read More
Preview: No. 3 men’s lacrosse plays No. 5 Syracuse in NCAA quarterfinals
Hayk YengibaryanShould the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Should the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
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.