Tigers tie UConn, Boston U. on road

Gaining experience and fitness, but not a win or a loss, women's soccer (1-3-2 overall) tied a pair of road games this past weekend against No. 18 University of Connecticut (5-2-2) and Boston University (4-3-2) as it continued to struggle to play with the poise and consistency of last year's Final Four squad.

The first game, against Connecticut on Friday, was the third game in the Tigers' first five matches of the season against a top-25 opponent. Sophomore midfielder Diana Matheson contributed the only Princeton goal late in the first half on an assist from senior forward Emily Behncke. The Huskies' Elizabeth Eng scored the sole goal for Connecticut in the middle of the second half for a 1-1 tie when the whistle blew.

NCAA rules stipulate that when a game is tied at the end of regulation — in what is becoming a rather familiar routine for the Tigers — up to two 10-minute periods of overtime are played. Unlike in post-season play, which has shootouts, after an exhausting 110 minutes of soccer a tie is declared.

The tie against UConn, while disappointing, did prove that Princeton has what it takes to hang with a top-25 team — something that had been in doubt after losses earlier this year to Miami and Arizona.

In the game against Boston University, Matheson and Behncke once again led the offense, with Behncke scoring a pair of goals and assists coming from Matheson and junior forward Meghan Farrell. Boston had taken an early 2-0 lead, but with Behncke's goals, the game ended in a 2-2 tie.

Boston's first goal came less than five minutes into play, a disheartening beginning for a Tiger team struggling with the unfamiliar territory of a losing record. The first goal, a header by Susan Marschall, was followed 10 minutes later by one from Melissa Schulman.

Behncke's first goal came 15 minutes later on a long assist from Matheson. Her second goal — and fourth of the season — would come in the middle of the second half. It would be the last goal in the game. Senior goaltender Emily Vogelzang came in at halftime to replace fellow senior Madeline Jackson, who had played all of the Connecticut game and the discouraging first half against BU.

In the overtime periods, senior forward Maura Gallagher had the most viable chance to score, but her shot was deflected by Boston netminder Stephanie Dreyer. The Terriers had several chances themselves — including two free kicks in OT — but also failed to convert.

In a promising sign for an offense that has been ineffective so far this year, the Tigers outshot their opponents in each game, 24-16 against UConn and 16-14 against Boston.

The defense, which has struggled this year as well and is still attempting to compensate for the loss of junior Christina Costantino to injury, was hot and cold, but the corps did show signs of promise.

Princeton begins league play Saturday against Yale at 7 p.m. at Lourie-Love Field.