On a clear Saturday afternoon, Princeton women’s soccer (7–5–3 overall, 5–2–0 Ivy League) traveled to Rhode Island to take on the Brown Bears (9–3–4, 3–2–2) for their final game of the regular season. With the outright Ivy League regular season title and postseason tournament hosting rights at stake, the Tigers came expecting to win.
They did just that.
The closely competitive game, featuring offensive urgency and defensive pressure from both teams, concluded in a 2–1 win for Princeton. For the first time in Ivy League women’s soccer championship history, a team with two league losses has clinched the title of outright Ivy champion.
Saturday’s result also marks the first time in program history that Princeton women’s soccer won the outright title back-to-back, after winning the regular season title in 2024 as well.
“It means the world to me to go back-to-back,” sophomore forward Alexandra Barry told The Daily Princetonian. Barry proved integral to the win, scoring both goals for the Tigers. “Saturday was such a special day because all of our hard work as a team paid off.”
The team hasn’t had the smoothest season. They stood at 1–2–0 during the first half of Ivy League play and have struggled through season-ending injuries to standout junior defender Zoe Markesini and sophomore midfielder Brooke Dawahare.
“Everyone counted us out,” Barry explained to the ‘Prince.’ “But we played for each other and never gave up throughout the whole season.”
Now, they boast an impressive five-game win streak and will host the postseason tournament. On Saturday, though, they had to get through the Bears in order to secure their position as top seed.
The match quickly became a battle of possession. The Tigers were able to keep pressure on Brown’s effective midfield, while the Bears were quick to respond to Princeton’s counter attacks from the wings. This matchup between the top two shot-producing teams in the league remained shotless past 20 minutes in.
In the 29th minute, senior defender Caroline Kane took a free kick for Princeton, initiating the sequence of play that put the Tigers on the board. Princeton lost possession to Brown after making initial contact with the ball, but through immediate pursuit from Barry, the Tigers were able to reclaim control.
Barry passed to first-year midfielder Maddie Recupero who then sent the ball back to Barry. After one touch, she launched a 24-yard shot past the Brown defense and the gloves of Brown goalkeeper Addison Etter.
“All season we have been prioritizing our counter-pressing as a team and hunting for the ball every time we lose it,” Barry reflected when asked about the goal. “I was able to track back and win the ball and had an open second to take a shot and took it.”
Feeling the pressure, Brown responded with immediate counterattacks. The Tiger defense adjusted quickly, though, effectively fending off the Bears’ pursuits and forcing them to take early, inaccurate shots.
Brown’s success came on a corner kick with less than 10 minutes remaining in the half. After gaining possession, Brown midfielder Audrey Lam directed the ball in midair toward Princeton’s goal. Princeton sophomore goalkeeper Sydney Romano jumped at the same time as Brown defender Naya Cardoza and got off balance. Romano wasn’t able to hold onto the ball and fell upon landing as the ball bounced past her.
Brown forward Claire Silverman capitalized on the opportunity, finishing the goal with a touch.
Tied at 1–1, the two teams left the pitch for halftime knowing they’d return with a bitter, tight contest.
“We knew it was going to be a battle, but we talked about working our hardest for each other, keeping the ball, and playing together as a unit,” Barry said about the team’s second half mindset. “We have been through so much adversity as a team this year, and the fact that we had 45 minutes to rewrite our season and win the Ivy League regular season was enough motivation to make that happen.”
The Tiger’s determination showed, as they found the game-winning goal by maintaining careful ball control. The play originated from a throw-in on the left sideline before the Tigers were able to switch the field to play on the right. Sophomore forward Dylan Jovanovic received the ball and then crossed it to front and center of the goal — where Barry finished the play.
“Dylan played a great cross into the box, and all season we’ve prided ourselves on being brave in the air and it was just a factor of being brave in the box and putting my body on the line to get a goal,” Barry told the ‘Prince.’
The Tigers kept up their energy and attack, limiting Brown to three shots for the remainder of the game. Between the constant pursuit of Princeton’s defense and the involved performance of junior goalkeeper Cecilia Cerone, Brown was unable to even the score.
Princeton will look to replicate Saturday’s result as they play Brown again Thursday, Nov. 6, at 7 p.m. on Myslik Field at Roberts Stadium in the Ivy League Tournament semifinal game.
“We are so excited to be able to host the Ivy League Tournament, because there is nothing better than playing at Roberts Stadium,” Barry said to the ‘Prince.’
“We always play our best soccer at home and we have so much pride in playing our game on our home field.”
Siena Sydenham is a Sports contributor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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