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Princeton University
Rutgers
Negron's Goal Lifts Princeton Past Rutgers 1-0
October 05, 2004 | Women's Soccer
Oct. 5, 2004
Final Stats
Princeton and Rutgers are separated by a 15-mile stretch of Route 27. Their women's soccer teams are much closer than that.
Esmeralda Negron scored 33 minutes in and Princeton's defense made it stand up to give the 12th-ranked Tigers a 1-0 win over the Scarlet Knights Tuesday night as the teams continued an amazing run of close games. The game marked the eighth time in the last nine meetings between the schools that the game has been decided by one goal; the other game was a tie.
"It was typical Princeton-Rutgers," said Princeton coach Julie Shackford, who improved to 6-3-1 against the Knights. "I don't think either team was able to completely assert itself. It was a tough game, and we're fortunate to come out with the win." Princeton, who moved from 11th to 12th in the rankings this week despite a 4-1 win over Dartmouth last weekend, improved to 8-1 with the win, while Rutgers fell to 6-7. Princeton, 2-0 in the Ivy League, hosts Brown Saturday in its next game.
The last time Princeton and Rutgers played a game decided by more than one goal was in Shackford's third game as Tiger head coach, back in 1995, when the Knights defeated Princeton 3-0. Since then, every game has been either 1-0 or 2-1, with the exception a 2-2 tie last year in Piscataway.
Rutgers had its best scoring opportunity of the night come in the final two minutes, when Carli Lloyd crossed a ball in front of the Princeton net. Two Rutgers players had a chance at the ball, but neither could get a strong shot off.
The only goal of the game came off a corner kick. Princeton's Diana Matheson sent the kick into the box, where Negron headed it off the shoulder of Rutgers defender Michelle McNamara and into the net.
"It wasn't the prettiest goal," said Negron. "We'll take it. These games are always close. It's never easy to win a game against them."
The goal was the 33rd of Negron's career, leaving her eight away from the school career record. She also has 76 career points, 18 away from that record as well. Negron, who is second in both categories in Princeton history, has six goals and five assists on the season. The assist was Matheson's third, along with four goals.
Emily Vogelzang made four saves for the shutout. Princeton outshot Rutgers 8-7.