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Princeton University Athletics
Tigers Face MAAC Favorite In Men's Soccer Season Opener
August 30, 2004 | Men's Soccer
Aug. 30, 2004
Princeton, N.J. - The Princeton men's soccer team opens its season this weekend at Loyola, a team it has tied four times in the past four years. Backed by strong leadership and a solid defense, the 2004 Tigers hope to break that streak with a win over the Greyhounds this Friday, Sep. 3 at 4:00 p.m. "Playing Loyola is always exciting," head coach Jim Barlow says. "We expect it to be similar to last year - back-and-forth and fast-paced - but hopefully we'll make the difference with big plays in front of both goals." In last season's matchup, Princeton's Darren Spicer and Loyola's Nate Lyden each scored once in the first half but both teams were shut out the rest of the game, ending in a 1-1 tie. Spicer (4 goals, 0 assists) finished off his sophomore year as the team's leading scorer and will be called upon to lead the offense again this year. But to get scoring opportunities, the Tigers first have to stop a Loyola team that was picked to finish first in the preseason MAAC poll. Last year, the Greyhounds won their fifth consecutive regular season MAAC Championship and narrowly missed a third straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Barlow says that, despite having just one week of practice, the Princeton defense is organized and ready for the challenge. Credit that organization to an experienced coaching crew as well as veteran players such as senior goalkeeper Erik White, a three-year starter who had five wins, three shutouts and a .697 save percentage in 2003. Sophomore Jame Wunsch, who started all 17 games last year, has also been a leader in the back during preseason. He made the move from midfield to defense this season, opening spots for talented newcomers as well as senior captain Teddy van Beuren, who was sidelined most of last year due to an injury. Van Beuren will anchor the midfield after setting the pace during preseason with his hard work and energy. Van Beuren is one of four seniors whose goal this year is to return to the NCAA Tournament, which they did as freshmen when they went 5-1-1 in the Ivy League and earned an automatic bid. But on Friday, the Tigers will focus on another goal - upholding an undefeated record against Loyola that dates back to 1996. For the complete Princeton men's soccer preview, click here.