Tigers look to avenge 2013 Ivy League struggles

After failing to score a goal in its first two matches to begin the 2014 campaign, the women’s soccer team begun to shift gears. The Tigers (1-1-2) tallied two goals at La Salle (3-2-2) to earn a 2-2 draw on Friday, September 12th and scored two more on the way to a 2-1 victory at home against Villanova (2-4-1) the following Sunday. The next week's Villanova contest, which was broadcast on ESPNU, gave the national audience exposure to a Princeton squad that dominated in shots and scoring opportunities. But the Tigers are not yet completely satisfied with their performance yet this year, and the club possesses lofty goals for the remainder of this season.

“(Villanova) was a really big win for us, it was a good one,” head coach Julie Shackford said. “But as always, our first goal is to win the Ivy League. Our second goal is to go as far in the NCAA tournament as we can. And coming off of last year, when we had a lot of close losses, I think the team has matured a lot and I think they’re ready to put it behind them. We’ve shown some glimpses of really good soccer, so I’m excited.”

The Tigers enter the 2014 season with a chip on their collective shoulder, dissatisfied with the club’s Ivy League results from last season. Despite posting a solid 6-1-3 non-league record last fall, including an impressive 4-1-2 record in the team’s first seven games before beginning league play, Princeton went 1-5-1 in the Ivy League. The squad’s only Ivy League victory, a 4-0 trouncing of Cornell in the Tigers’ final home game last season, proved a bright spot in a season marred by tough losses and a three-game scoreless stretch in October. Princeton now hopes to pick up where it left off with Cornell last season, carrying momentum and a high-powered offensive attack into the Ivy League season.

“We swept the Ivy League in 2012, and then we lost eight seniors and starters. So in a lot of ways, last season was a bit of a rebuilding year. But we did lose a lot of close games, and I think it motivated the girls and I think they’re definitely ready for the challenge. Obviously, we know what we need to do, and I think we’re much more prepared this year,” Shackford said.

But even though the Tigers may enter this season more prepared, the club will still face many challenges as it attempts to achieve its goals. Already, the squad has suffered several injuries, thrusting inexperienced freshmen into important roles for the club. If Princeton hopes to make a run for the Ivy League title, the squad will need to combine excellent leadership from its upperclassmen with dedication and perseverance from its underclassmen. So far, the Tigers’ senior leaders have set a good example. Senior defender Lauren Lazo, who was named Ivy League Player of the Week on Monday, scored both goals in her team’s victory over Villanova a day earlier.

“I think ostensibly our biggest leader is Lauren Lazo. You know, she’s basically just as dominant as she wants to be, she can play any position on the field, and she’s had a great start. She’s played in the back, up top and in the midfield for us, and she’s just really exciting to watch,” Shackford said. “[Senior forward] Gabi Ragazzo is another great senior leader for us. She’s a quiet leader on the field, and she also had a great weekend.”

Freshman forward Beth Stella, who scored the game-tying goal off a Lazo assist in the 79thminute against La Salle on Friday, was named the Ivy League Rookie of the Week. Stella leads a group of freshman players who the Tigers hope will be able to fill big shoes this season.

“We have a lot of young players, so it’s really a big mix of underclassmen and upperclassmen,” Shackford said. “We’ve had so many injuries that we have underclassmen who are stepping up and starting, and that’s pretty cool actually. We’re still waiting to get some kids back from injuries, but I think the way our younger players have stepped up is really pretty encouraging.”

The Tigers have a long way to go if they wish to win the Ivy League again this season, but they are equally confident.

“We have great upperclassmen leaders, and from a talent perspective, we have a really exciting freshman class,” Shackford said. “This is going to be a really exciting season.”