Women's Soccer: Tigers keep momentum with 1-0 victory

The women’s soccer team traveled to Bethlehem, Pa., to face Lehigh last night and came away with a one-goal victory, giving the Tigers their first back-to-back wins of the season.

The Tigers (3-8-1 overall, 0-3-0 Ivy League) and Mountain Hawks (6-6-1) have met in non-league play 17 times since 1980. Though Lehigh came in with a better record, Princeton has historically dominated the series, now owning 16 wins and only one 0-0 tie two years ago. The Tigers’ backline has not given up a goal to the Mountain Hawks since 1994.

With the exception of its recent 6-0 victory over Francis Marion, Princeton has struggled to find the back of the net and convert its numerous shot attempts into goals. This struggle was predicted to be an additional challenge Wednesday night against Lehigh’s strong defense, led by aptly-named goalkeeper Ashley Blanks. The Mountain Hawks had defeated their previous three opponents 1-0 while accumulating a shutout run of over 350 minutes, but freshman defender Gabrielle Ragazzo found the net off of sophomore defender Kacie Kergides’ pass early in the second half, snapping the streak and giving the Tigers enough to win.

The team was proud of its performance after the game. “It was nice to get another win, especially after Monday’s performance and with the Ivy League game coming up this Saturday,” senior midfielder and captain Sara Chehrehsa said.

Princeton’s attack wasted no time challenging Blanks in goal. Senior defender Kalie Bartholomew fired two shots within the first ten minutes, but one was blocked and the other went wide. The Tigers continued to take chances in their attacking third, putting consistent pressure on the Mountain Hawks’ defense, but junior midfielder Rebecca Shmoys missed two chances, including one that was blocked by Blanks.

Lehigh’s first two looks on goal came in the 20th and 21st minutes, but junior goalkeeper Kristin Watson saved both attempts. After Watson stopped another Lehigh shot, the ball went out of bounds for the Mountain Hawks’ only corner kick of the half, but the hosts failed to capitalize on the important offensive opportunity.

Princeton dominated the final 15 minutes of the first half sending three more shots towards the goal and sending in three corner kicks. But at the half, the game remained scoreless despite the Tigers’ advantage in possession, a common theme for the team this season. Though Lehigh only got three shots off, every one was on frame and forced Watson to make a save, while only two of the Tigers’ nine shots challenged a defender.

The visitors came out strong again in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Kergides sent the ball into the box where Ragazzo was waiting, and the freshman converted the first goal of the game to give Princeton a 1-0 lead.

Ragazzo’s first career goal started from a free kick near the boundary line outside the 18-meter box. Rather than sending the free kick in as a cross, Chehrehsa passed it back to the open Kergides, who sent a low ball from the top of the box for Ragazzo to redirect past the keeper. “It was a nice little play,” Chehrehsa said.

Right away, the Mountain Hawks countered, sending a shot wide of the bar. A profitless corner kick was all Lehigh could manage for the first 25 minutes of the second half, as the Tigers kept the hosts off the scoreboard.

Not complacent with their one goal lead, Princeton continued to create attacking opportunities upfront. Sophomore midfielder Gabriella Guzman sent a shot high, Downey missed a pair of attempts and Bartholomew sent one over the cross bar.

“In the second half, our forwards were more dangerous and made better runs, something we have been working on all season. It was nice to finally execute this well,” Chehrehsa said.

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Watson made a key save in the final moments of the game, securing her first shutout and a victory for her team.

The Tigers play next against Ivy League competitor Columbia on Saturday, hoping to extend their win streak to three games and earn their first conference win.