After shutouts, defense falters against Rutgers

Junior goalkeeper Darcy Hargadon tallied a season-high three saves, including two important snags late in double overtime, allowing the women's soccer team to earn a 0-0 draw against Seton Hall on Friday night in South Orange, N.J. The saves, during the 104th and 107th minutes, stymied a flurry of Pirate (1-5-2 overall, 0-0 Big East)activity near the Tiger net during which Princeton (2-1-1)conceded three shots and two fouls in a dangerous span closing the game’s final overtime period.

“Darcy has stepped up and done an admirable job in goal for us,” head coach Julie Shackford said.

The 0-0 draw on Friday night extended the Princeton defense’s shutout streak to all three of its games this season. In their season-opening home stand last weekend, the Tigers shut out Richmond 2-0 and blanked Army 3-0.

“It is still very early, but I think all the players are committed to the overall concept of team defending,” Shackford said.“The team is determined as a group to limit scoring chances.”

Though they were unable to convert any goals in the matchup, the Tigers did produce several scoring chances. Led offensively by freshman forward Tyler Lussi, who recorded five shots and three on target, Princeton tallied 15 shots and five corner kicks in the matchup. Lussi, who had scored three goals in her first two games this season, was attempting to become the first player in Princeton women’s soccer history to score in each of her first three games.

“Tyler is a true competitor and a player who leaves it all on the field. She creates many chances for herself simply by disrupting the backs, intercepting balls and has an incredible amount of energy,” Shackford said. “She is very driven, and once she completely adjusts to the college game, she will have even more opportunities to create and score goals.”

Following the draw with Seton Hall, the Tigers turned their attention to their Sunday afternoon road matchup against Rutgers. Princeton came into the game with a 10-14-3 all-time record against the Scarlet Knights, having dropped its last two matchups, both 2-0, in 2009 and 2010.

“The game with Rutgers is always a good fight,” Shackford said before the game. “We will need to be better with our possession and not let their forwards have space to turn and create.”

Unfortunately for Princeton, the Scarlet Knights(7-2-1, 0-0 American Athletic Conference) created plenty of scoring opportunities and capitalized five times, routing the Tigers 5-1.

Rutgers outshot the Tigers 24-15, as the Scarlet Knights' Stefanie Scholz netted three goals to stop Hargadon — who had eight saves — from recording her fourth-straight shutout. Junior midfielder Lauren Lazo, who is tied with Lussi for the team lead with three goals this season, recorded Princeton's only score, which came unassisted 54 minutes into the game.

The Tigers will be back in action Tuesday night at Saint Joseph's in Philadelphia.