Princeton sweeps Virginia opponents

Though it is a challenge for the No. 16 Tigers (2-0) to play six of their first seven games on the road, they seem to be taking the test in stride, winning their first two games over the weekend.

Princeton’s very challenging season started against the University of Richmond (1-2), where the Tigers edged the Spiders 2-1. As if it isn’t challenging enough to face a team that has already played two games this season, Princeton was forced to play the game a day early to avoid the worst of Tropical Storm Hanna’s effects, which meant that the Tigers had less time than they expected to adjust after six hours on a bus.

That lack of adjustment time didn’t affect the outcome of the game, however, as the Tigers went on to control play throughout the game even as the rain poured down at Crenshaw Field.

Outshooting Richmond 21-7, Princeton notched the first goal of the game. Senior defender Holly McGarvie — who scored nine goals last season and now leads all active players in career goals — scored off a corner kick in the 25th minute, assisted by senior midfielder Kraftin Schreyer.

It was nearly another 25 minutes before the Tigers scored again. With just over 23 minutes to play, freshman midfielder Katie Reinprecht scored her first collegiate goal. Reinprecht’s unassisted effort ended up being the game-winner, as the Spiders’ Katelin Peterson put the ball past sophomore goalkeeper Jennifer King in the 62nd minute.

Princeton’s effort was a well-rounded one, with three Tigers taking three or more shots. Senior midfielder Candice Arner led the team with seven shots, while McGarvie and fellow defender junior Kaitlyn Perrelle each took three.

The win was especially significant to the Class of 2009, as the seniors had never won their season opener before.

The Orange and Black took Saturday off due to the rescheduled game but took the field again on Sunday against William & Mary. The Tigers were anything but sluggish in the Virginia heat, shutting out the Tribe 4-0.

William & Mary took the first two shots of the game, but Princeton quickly resumed control and scored two goals in a span of 79 seconds. Junior attack Christina Bortz opened the scoring at 19 minutes, 38 seconds, dribbling the ball into the circle and putting a shot into the left boards.

At 21:07, McGarvie scored her 20th career goal off a feed from Reinprecht. Reinprecht slotted a pass across the circle to McGarvie, who sent a shot to the right side of the goal for a 2-0 Tiger lead.

Having led Princeton in shots against the Spiders, Arner led the Tigers against the Tribe in scoring, putting away her first two goals of the season. The first came off a corner in the 32nd minute on an assist from Bortz.

A little more than two minutes into the second half, Arner extended Princeton’s lead to four on a bouncing shot to the left boards, assisted by Perrelle.

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The win gave King her first career shutout as she stopped William & Mary’s six shots on goal. The Tigers once again outshot their opponent, 19-8, and outcornered the Tribe 6-4.

Sweeping the opening weekend gives Princeton its best start since 2003, when it won its first three games of the season at home.

The Tigers continue their string of away games when they face off against Lehigh (1-2) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Lehigh. Princeton’s first home contest is Sept. 20, coinciding with its Ivy opener, when the team comes up against the Dartmouth Big Green.