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Princeton University
Rutgers
No. 23 Princeton, Rutgers Play To 2-2 Women's Soccer Tie
October 07, 2003 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 7, 2003
Final Stats
Piscataway, N.J. - The last seven Princeton-Rutgers women's soccer games prior to Tuesday night's game had all been decided by one goal. This time, the rivals went one better.
The 23rd-ranked Tigers and Scarlet Knights played to a 2-2 tie in a physical contest at Yurcak Field Tuesday. The tie left Princeton at 6-1-2 (1-1-0 Ivy League), while Rutgers is now 7-3-3.
"It's always close when we play them," said Princeton coach Julie Shackford, who is 5-3-1 against the Scarlet Knights. "It's always intense. It's always a tight game. it's a great rivalry."
Rutgers entered the game having allowed just one goal in its previous 700 minutes, and the Scarlet Knights held the Tigers without a shot for the first 40 minutes. Princeton then exploded for two goals on two long shots, the only two shots the Tigers would get in the first 73 minutes. Rochelle Willis started the scoring at 40:39 with a lofting shot from 15 yards out on the right side that went inside the far post. Emily Behncke then took a pass from Meghan Farrell in the middle of the field and drilled a shot inside the right post from 25 yards away 1:49 later, and Princeton had a stunning 2-0 lead at intermission.
"It was a tough game to lose, at least it feels like a loss," said Willis. "We have to work on concentrating more and keeping the momentum in the second half. I thought we played hard and well. There were a lot of strong performances on both sides. It's unfortunate that we didn't come out with a win."
Rutgers All-America Carli Lloyd scored seven minutes after halftime on a free kick from 18 yards away to cut the lead in half, and it stayed that way until Lloyd scored again, this time on a drive from 25 yards away. with 7:05 remaining in regulation.
Rutgers had the best scoring opportunity the rest of the way, and it came in the final minute of regulation. Meghan Cameron started the play with a long ball that sent Danae Risoli in one-on-one against Princeton goalkeeper Emily Vogelzang, who stopped Risoli's low shot.
Princeton had one shot in the overtimes, while Rutgers had two. Neither team had a great chance.
"It was disappointing to go up by two and not get a win," Shackford said. "We got out of our rhythym. But Rutgers is a good team. Carli Lloyd is a great player. She knows where to put the ball."
Princeton is at Brown Saturday night in an Ivy League game.