Matheson brings small frame, big game to campus

The illustrious history of Princeton University is ripe with the contributions of great Canadians who chose to make their way into this country and descend upon the state of New Jersey. Former University president Harold Shapiro. Current President Tilghman. And now, "Heavy D."

The reference is not to the Jamaican-born rapper of "Heavy D & The Boyz" fame, who consistently churned out hits from the late '80s to the mid-'90s but rather to the second-leading scorer on No. 9 women's soccer (11-1 overall, 4-0 Ivy League), freshman midfielder Diana Matheson. In her first year with the team, Matheson has displayed both the type of play-making ability that garners the respect of teammates and opponents and an affability that has earned her the cool nickname.

Having started in all 12 games, her five goals, four assists, and 14 total points put Matheson second only to senior forward Esmeralda Negron among team-leaders, and her three game-winning goals tie her with Negron for tops on the squad.

"It's exciting just to be a leading goal scorer on this team," Matheson said, "because it's a talented group, and [the fact that it is my] first year makes it even better."

But even more important to Princeton's becoming the ninth ranked team in the nation have been the plays Matheson makes which do not necessarily show up in the scoring summary printed out after every game.

"Diana serves so many great balls and gets her teammates into such great spaces that more times than not, they're looking good," senior midfielder Catherine Byrd said.

"She's quick on and off the ball," freshman midfielder Lisa Chinn added. "Defensively, she always gets back and her slide tackles are fun to watch. She never seems to get tired."

Team Canada

Such praise, although not typical of that usually given out to freshmen, should not come as much of a surprise because, in most respects, Matheson is not your average freshman. A native of Ontario, Matheson made the choice to defer from Princeton for a year in order to play for Team Canada in the Women's World Cup — in which she played every minute of all six games and notched an assist, helping Canada reach the semifinals — and in the qualifying tournament for the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Now 20 years old, Matheson joined the Tigers with a goal scored in international play to her credit (a game-winner in a friendly match against Mexico) and the type of soccer background that allows her to adopt a leadership style that fits her rather unique role as both freshman and star.

"The upperclassmen on this team are great leaders," Matheson says. "I just try to lead by example on the field if I can because I've had more experience internationally."

Even with her considerable accomplishments up to this point, no one could have predicted just how well Matheson would start her collegiate career. In just the fifth minute of her first game with Princeton — against then-No.5 Texas A&M, no less — Matheson scored a goal off a give-and-go with Negron, leading the Tigers to a 2-1 upset.

"I definitely wasn't expecting that good of a start," Matheson admits. "It was very exciting."

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

That first goal gave her teammates a taste of what they could expect her to bring to the field on a day-today basis for the rest of the season.

"She is one of our most consistent players, and to be able to say that about a freshman is incredible," Byrd said. "Diana always gets her job done."

Praise for Matheson, who is considering majoring in economics, follows her off the field as well.

"She is quiet at first, but once you get to know her she is extremely witty and fun, too," Chinn said.

Despite being of sophomore age, she has formed a special bond with the other freshmen on the team.

"We're tight," Matheson said of her fellow '08ers. "It's a fun group. I love those girls."

Looking forward to the rest of the 2004 season and even to the remainder of Matheson's career with the team, fans of Princeton women's soccer are hoping that Heavy D & The Girlz will be able to establish their own reign of greatness.