On a clear night at Roberts Stadium, women’s soccer (0–2–2 overall, 0–0 Ivy League) fell to the No. 25 Ohio State Buckeyes in a physical matchup. The Tigers are off to an up and down start to the season, tying Rutgers and losing to Loyola (Md.) in their first two games.
The Buckeyes, who made it to the Round of 16 in last year’s NCAA Tournament, started strong, applying significant pressure to the Tigers and receiving two corner kicks. Princeton struggled to establish possession in the offensive third for the first 15 minutes.
The Orange and Black defensive line held strong, however. Junior goalkeeper Cecilia Cerone made a diving save and junior midfielder Kayla Wong blocked a shot from outside the box.
Junior defender Zoe Markesini, one of two captains, led the Tigers defensive line and was critical in keeping the game scoreless.
“I think playing a Big 10 opponent like that brings a different game, but I think we adapted and gave it back to them and switched the game in the first half,” Markesini told The Daily Princetonian after the game.
The Tigers found their footing by ramping up pressure on defense, taking away time from the Buckeye players and forcing turnovers. The persistent defense allowed the offense to flow.
“We calmed down a little bit with our nerves, caught off guard with the physicality of the game, and I think a little bit tentative, and then we got back into it.” Head Coach Sean Driscoll told the ‘Prince’ after the game. “The momentum shifted after that.”
Shouts from the home crowd erupted in the middle of the half after a no call on a clear hand ball from a Buckeye defender slightly outside the 18-yard box. Despite the lack of help from the officials, the Tigers secured a few corner kicks and continued to search for offensive opportunities.
With three minutes left in the half, the scoreless tie was broken by sophomore forward Alexandra Barry. First-year forward Aubrey Crisostomo sent a bouncing ball into the box and Barry cleaned up to put the Tigers ahead.
After losing several critical members of last year’s team, Princeton saw strong first-half play from the youth on offense. First-year forward Nina Cantor was also involved on the scoring play with Barry and Crisostomo.
“The first years have hit the ground running, I think that’s credit to their skillset and the welcome environment we have here with our captains and seniors,” Driscoll told the ‘Prince.’ “The support around them is the reason they do so well.”
Play resumed in the second half with both sides making pushes down the field, but neither could consolidate any advantage into a goal opportunity in the initial minutes.
The Buckeyes found their first chance of the game when the Tigers were whistled for a foul in the box. Forward Amanda Schlueter placed the ball into the back of the net to even up the affair.
Things began to unravel for the Tigers following Schlueter’s goal. Just five minutes later, midfielder Ellie Britt gave Ohio State the lead, poking the ball over Cerrone’s head after it trickled into the box.
Two more goals followed in the next three minutes, and the Tigers now stared down a three-goal deficit just eight minutes after having a lead. The offensive spurt from the Buckeyes stunned the Tigers and the home crowd.
The Tigers battled on for the rest of the game, however, they were not able to generate any significant offensive chances. Driscoll made sure that the youth on the team had substantial playing time.
“The positive is how we looked in the last 25 minutes of the first half,” Driscoll told the ‘Prince.’ “We really fought and were physical and didn’t back down. We were much more assertive and progressive with how we played. It’s a really good mentality to have.”
Markesini drew positives from playing strong opponents early in the season, despite the loss.
“I think it’s really important that we play opponents like this and get the side of physicality, something we can compete with and then learn from our mistakes in the game,” she told the ‘Prince.’
The Tigers drew 0–0 with the Syracuse Orange yesterday in a morning game to bring their overall record to 0–2–2 on the season. The team will travel to Miami on Thursday to face off with the Miami Hurricanes (4–1 overall, 0–0 ACC) at 7.
Harrison Blank is a head Sports editor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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