Women's Soccer: Tigers look to recreate 2004 magic

When it was announced that the Tigers had earned an at-large bid into the tournament and would play West Virginia, however, the team spent little time celebrating. Instead, it immediately began to prepare for its opening-round game in Charlottesville, Va., tonight at 7:30 at Klockner Stadium.

In putting the success of the regular season behind them, the Tigers (12-2-2 overall, 5-1-1 Ivy League) demonstrated the same focus that enabled them to overcome setbacks on their way to an Ivy League co-championship, even after the team’s 2-1 loss to co-champion Harvard.

“The team has been driven the whole way through and has been consistent all season,” head coach Julie Shackford said.

As a result, instead of becoming discouraged by the 2-1 loss to the Crimson over Fall Break, the team strengthened its resolve and went on to post consecutive wins over Bucknell and Cornell.

If the Tigers are to advance past No. 13 West Virginia (13-2-6) on Friday, they must maintain this focus despite their lack of postseason experience. Princeton makes its first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2004, when it also earned an at-large bid.

Though opponent West Virginia was an at-large selection after falling to Connecticut in the Big East semifinal, the team is no stranger to the tournament. The Mountaineers have been to nine consecutive postseasons and have largely the same team that advanced to the quarterfinals in last year’s tournament. But Princeton is not worried about a discrepancy in experience.

“I am not worried about anything in terms of this team,” Shackford said. “They have been fighters the entire season and have responded to pressure by winning tight games, so I believe the pressure is off at this point.”

When entering a new season, the primary goal is always to win an Ivy League title, and a team’s success is ultimately defined by its success within the league, so there is no doubt that the 2008 campaign will be regarded as a successful one. But there is still a little left to be done.

“[Friday’s game is] a chance for us to focus on attacking and enjoying the game, we have already achieved so much already,” Shackford said.

In terms of the matchup on the field, the Tigers face a significant challenge against an athletic Mountaineers team. To emerge victorious, Princeton will need a strong effort from the defense that has been the key to its success all season.

“[West Virginia is] a little more athletic and has a large amount of speed up front,” Shackford said. “But we have a tremendous will to succeed as well as a strong defense.”

The defense has been spectacular all season, allowing only seven goals. Princeton will rely on outstanding play from its back line, composed of junior defender and tri-captain Melissa Seitz, senior defender Taylor Numann and sophomore defender Bernie Da Costa, to slow the Mountaineers’ potent offensive attack.

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Friday’s game will feature a matchup of two teams who have never faced each other before. Coupled with the fact that, after senior defender and tri-captain Lisa Chinn’s knee injury, Princeton has no players with tournament experience, Friday’s game is largely an unknown. But if Princeton can profit from the same collective will that has brought the team this far, Friday’s match could be the start of a magical run.