Princeton looks to move atop the Ivies

For most students, Fall Break is a time to relax, watch television and catch up on some much-needed sleep. For the women's soccer team, Fall Break is a time to buckle down, focus in and grind the way back to the top of the Ivy League leader board. This upcoming week there will be no rest for the weary, as Princeton takes on conference foes Cornell and Penn, and its last out-of-league opponent, Bucknell.

The Tigers (7-5-1 overall, 3-1-0 Ivy League) will kick off break play against the Big Red (4-9-0, 0-4-0) at Powers Field on Saturday. Cornell comes into the game on a six-game losing streak, including losses to fellow Ivy teams Penn, Harvard, Yale and Brown. In its past two games, the Big Red has ceded a total of nine goals.

Defensive woes are not the only concern in Ithaca, as Cornell has also failed to raise its scoring average above 0.9 goals per game. For Cornell, the number of goals scored is less than half the number allowed.

Many of its offensive and defensive problems may be attributed to lack of experience. The Big Red is led in net by freshman goalkeeper Jodi Palmer, while the team's two highest scorers are freshmen Lena Russomagno and Natalie Zandt.

Princeton is staying focused and not overlooking Cornell's potential ability to sneak a win past them. Coming off their first loss in seven games, the Tigers are hungry to get back on the field and step up their play.

"I think we're all really looking forward to the chance to avenge our loss last weekend," junior defender Taylor Numann said. "We've had a week to fix our problems, and I think we've made good progress."

Once past Cornell, the Tigers will take on Bucknell (8-6-0) on Wednesday, Oct. 31. The Bison are riding high after conquering Colgate last week for the first time in school history and were recently ranked 10th in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Mid-Atlantic region poll.

Bucknell has a potent offense, scoring on average two goals per game. The team puts a tremendous amount of pressure on its opponents' defense, taking shots whenever the opportunity arises. Princeton will have to guard against shots in the 18-yard box, as several of the Bison are deadly from close range.

Princeton, however, is more concerned with improving its own offense than worrying about Bucknell's strengths and weaknesses.

"We've been doing a good job of out-possessing teams and creating opportunities," Numann said. "Now we really need to make sure we finish our chances. If we bring the energy I saw in practice, in the middle of midterms week, I think it should be a great game."

The most difficult challenge will be last, as the Tigers take on league-leader Penn (11-2-1, 4-0-0) on Nov. 3. Penn is coming off a close 2-1 victory over Yale last weekend in which it tied the school record of six consecutive wins.

The Quakers are led by a group of young players, stepping up to the challenge after graduating several key seniors. This year the team has no seniors on its roster, with its two leading scorers and firstand second-string goalkeepers belonging to the sophomore class.

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Penn's play has been characterized by taking an early lead and never relinquishing it. If the Tigers can get on the board first and put Penn in a position to have to come from behind, they may be able to rattle the team enough for the win.

Penn also likes to play a very physical game, with some members of the team racking up multiple yellow cards on the season. The Quakers want to play a fast, rough game so Princeton will need to concentrate on slowing the play down and being calm and collected. If they can get Penn to play out of its comfort zone, the Tigers should have a good shot at victory and the opportunity to establish themselves as the new league leader.

"The Ivy title is at stake, and we are prepared to fight for it," senior captain and goalkeeper Maren Dale said.