Princeton victorious in league opener

If history is any indication of how the present will unfold, the women's soccer team is sitting pretty right now. The Tigers (3-4-1 overall, 1-0-0 Ivy League) took down Dartmouth (2-7-0, 0-1-0), their first Ivy League opponent by a score of 2-1 this Saturday, marking the first time in three years they have begun conference play with a win. The last time Princeton posted a victory in its first outing, the Tigers traveled all the way to the NCAA Final Four in their record-breaking 2004 season.

The Tigers started the game slowly, playing evenly with Dartmouth for the first 10 minutes. Both teams saw controlled play through the midfield, but neither could capitalize on any scoring drives. In the 11th minute, however, Princeton used its speed on offense to transition up the field well and knock one into the back of the net.

Freshman defender Marissa Sampias collected the ball around the midfield mark and was able to loft it up to sprinting freshman Alexandra Valerio. Though Dartmouth had a two-on-one defensive advantage, Valerio stayed composed, beating both defenders and the goalkeeper as her well-placed shot rattled inside the far post.

Getting the first goal often proves crucial to establishing team rhythm and momentum, and this game was no different.

"It seemed like Dartmouth was shocked that we scored so early," Valerio said. "After that, they were unable to find their game."

Princeton was able to maintain its lead for the rest of the first half, playing controlled and relaxed soccer.

"No one panicked, and we possessed the ball well," Valerio said. "We created many dangerous opportunities and defended well all over the field."

Though both goalkeepers saw some action, shots on goal were limited as both defenses turned in solid performances.

In the second half, Princeton came out of the gates strong, establishing itself and setting the tone right from the start. Dartmouth had difficulty maintaining possession with the pressure the Tigers applied.

"Keeping possession was key," senior goalkeeper and captain Maren Dale said. "We battled hard and won the 50/50 balls."

Though control of the ball was in Princeton's favor, it took them until the 74th minute to score a second goal. Battling it out near the goal, the Tigers pressured the Big Green to kick the ball out over the endline, setting up a corner-kick situation. Freshman midfielder Libby van Beuren placed the kick perfectly in the box, allowing senior defender Melissa Whitley to run onto the ball and head one into the back of the net.

"It felt great to contribute a goal in our first win on our 'Road to the Ivy League Title,'" Whitley said. "We set the tone early to 'play our game' and to be dangerous."

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Princeton took its 2-0 lead into the 87th minute, and it looked like the Tigers would be able to record another shutout before Dartmouth finally managed to get one past Dale. On a quick drive, the Big Green found an open player right outside the box who launched a beautiful shot into the top of the net.

That attack was the final one Dartmouth would muster, as the whistle sounded and the score remained at 2-1 in favor of the Tigers. In winning its first Ivy League game, Princeton now shares the league lead with three other victorious teams this weekend — Yale, Penn and Columbia. The win also marked an important moment for head coach Julie Shackford. Shackford tied former men's soccer coach Jimmie Reed for all-time winningest soccer coach.

Getting the first Ivy League victory was an important step for a Princeton team that struggled earlier this season.

"We really put together some great soccer, and going forward, we want to keep playing better and better," Whitley said. "We still have things to work on, but this win was a crucial step in our team goal to win the Ivy League.

Though more confident, the Tigers also realize that winning the league will take a lot more work.

"It felt great to get the first Ivy League win under our belts, but the road to the Ivy League title is a long one, and we have to take everything one game at a time," Valerio said. "Dartmouth was only the beginning for us."