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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
CCSU (NCAA tournament opening round)
Negron Leads Princeton Past Central Connecticut In NCAA Women's Soccer Opener
November 12, 2004 | Women's Soccer
Nov. 12, 2004
Final Stats
The best season in Princeton women's soccer history continues, thanks largely to the best player in Princeton women's soccer history.
Esmeralda Negron scored two goals and added two assists to lead seventh-seeded Princeton to a 5-0 win over Central Connecticut State University Friday night in front of 325 at Lourie-Love Field. The game was played in temperatures in the mid-30's and heavy rain throughout.
The win advanced Princeton to Sunday's second round, where the Tigers will face Villanova, a 2-1 winner over Yale in the first game of the doubleheader Friday. Villanova defeated Princeton 2-1 in last year's NCAA opening round, and Princeton defeated Villanova 1-0 earlier this season. Princeton, one of 17 teams playing in the Division I tournament for at least the sixth straight season, built on two school records with its 16th win over the season and 16th straight win at home. Princeton is now 16-2, while CCSU ended its season at 11-10-1.
"I thought we played pretty well, considering the rain and mud," said Princeton coach Julie Shackford. "We got out in front early, and we were able to build on that. It's good to get this win, and now Villanova will be a very, very tough opponent."
Negron scored her first of the night at the !0:17 mark of the first half, and Emily Behncke made it 2-0 28 seconds later on an assist from Negron. The lead would grow to 4-0 by intermission as Kristina Fontanez scored once and Negron added another.
Romy Trigg-Smith sealed it with a goal of her own 2:38 after intermission, off an assist from Negron. Fontanez also had an assist.
Negron, the Ivy League Player of the Year, set the Princeton single-season record with her 10th and 11th assists, and she is now second all-time in assists at Princeton with 17. She also added to her other school records as she now has 19 goals on the season, 49 points on the season, 46 goals in her career and 109 points in her career.
Princeton outshot CCSU 30-3. Blue Devil goalkeeper Ashley Ferra made 11 saves, while Princeton 'keeper Madeleine Jackson did not have to make any.