Princeton To Take On Villanova In NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament

Nov. 10, 2003

Princeton's women's soccer team received an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, known as the College Cup, when the selections were announced Monday afternoon.

Princeton will take on Villanova, the Big East tournament champion, in Friday's opening round at the University of Virginia. The host school will face William & Mary in the other opening round game in Charlottesville; starting times will be announced.

"I was so nervous," said Princeton coach Julie Shackford. "My heart was about to come through my skin. Our bracket was the second-to-last one announced. I saw Villanova win the Big East. I watched the whole game. They're a great team, but it's always great to have a chance to play in the tournament."

Princeton, who finished its regular season at 11-2-3, was ranked in the national Top 25 for most of the season before dropping out the final two weeks. Villanova enters the NCAA tournament at 14-5-3 and is ranked 15th in the final NSCAA poll.

Princeton is making its fifth straight NCAA tournament appearance and seventh appearance all-time. The Tigers are 2-0 against Villanova under Shackford, with a win in 1995 and a 1-0 win at home against Villanova in 2001 on a goal that was assisted on by current Tiger junior Janine Willis. Princeton and Villanova were scheduled to meet last year at Villanova, but the game was postponed by a torrential rainstorm and not rescheduled.

Villanova and Princeton had three common opponents this season: Both teams defeated Syracuse; Princeton tied Rutgers, while Villanova lost to Rutgers; Villanova defeated Penn while Princeton lost to Penn.

Princeton went 4-2-1 in the Ivy League and 7-0-2 outside the league this season. The Tigers also went 7-0-0 at home and 4-2-3 on the road.

The complete NCAA draw can be found at www.ncaasports.com.

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