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Princeton University Athletics
Friday, August 31
Boston, Mass.
4 p.m.
Princeton University
0
vs
1
Connecticut
Players Mentioned
F/M
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's SoccerM
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
M/F
/ Women's SoccerD
/ Women's Soccer
Connecticut Breaks Through in 84th Minute to Hand Women's Soccer 1-0 Defeat
August 31, 2007 | Women's Soccer
BOSTON -- With its two biggest weapons on offense from last season on the roster but not on the pitch, the Princeton women's soccer team's defense held on for 83 minutes against Connecticut before allowing a goal to slither over the line in a 1-0 defeat Friday afternoon in Boston.
The Tigers will now take on host Boston University in the weekend tournament with a 3 p.m. start Sunday at Nickerson Field.
Princeton had carried a shutout streak from last season of 393:13 into the game but saw it end well short of the eight-game record set over the 1985 and 1986 seasons. Still, 476:14 is a long time for Princeton to have kept its foes out of the net.
"It is big (to have held Connecticut scoreless for 83 minutes) but I think we're all a little disappointed that we didn't hold them for 90," Princeton senior captain and goalkeeper Maren Dale said. "We're looking forward to BU to show that we can hold a team for 90 minutes and score."
What made the defensive effort even more laudable is that Connecticut was ranked No. 10 in the nation in the SoccerBuzz.com preseason poll and No. 16 in the NSCAA/adidas rankings.
"I thought we were organized and I thought we defended well," Princeton head coach Julie Shackford said. "I would like to see us more aggressive going forward, but it's a good starting point."
Senior Diana Matheson, who led Princeton with eight goals last year and is one assist from tying the all-time Princeton career mark, is on the other side of the globe preparing to represent Canada in the Women's World Cup in China. Sophomore Vicki Anagnostopoulos, second on the team in 2006 with six goals, was unable to play Friday due to injury.
Connecticut's best chance to score in the first half came in the 38th minute when senior defender Melissa Whitley was in position to knock down a ball deep in the Princeton zone. Instead, it took a turf bounce and was controlled by Connecticut's Annie Yi, who just missed the far right post. Other than that, the Huskies weren't able to catch Dale out of position before the break.
In the 72nd minute, Connecticut's Meghan Schnur drew a free kick after becoming entangled with Princeton's Marissa Sampias nearing the 18-yard box. Schnur wasn't able to bend it around the Princeton wall, however, and the match stayed scoreless.
With the shutout enduring into the 79th minute, the Tigers dodged another Connecticut chance when the Huskies' Jessica Diakun could have found open net by chipping in a crossing pass just in front of the goal line near the right post. The pass was too strong and Diakun sent it over the crossbar.
But the Huskies didn't miss their opportunity in the 84th minute. With a Princeton defender playing tight on her, Connecticut's Erin Clark threaded a soft shot just inside the 18 and past Dale, who had already dived a couple yards away in hopes of smothering the attempt.
Connecticut outshot Princeton 15-4 and Dale made five saves while the Tigers didn't force Huskies keeper Stephanie Labbe to make a save on net.
Four Princeton freshmen made their collegiate debuts as Sampias and Alexandra Valerio were in the starting lineup while Kayleigh Iatarola and Libby van Beuren entered as substitutes.
The Tigers will now take on host Boston University in the weekend tournament with a 3 p.m. start Sunday at Nickerson Field.
Princeton had carried a shutout streak from last season of 393:13 into the game but saw it end well short of the eight-game record set over the 1985 and 1986 seasons. Still, 476:14 is a long time for Princeton to have kept its foes out of the net.
"It is big (to have held Connecticut scoreless for 83 minutes) but I think we're all a little disappointed that we didn't hold them for 90," Princeton senior captain and goalkeeper Maren Dale said. "We're looking forward to BU to show that we can hold a team for 90 minutes and score."
What made the defensive effort even more laudable is that Connecticut was ranked No. 10 in the nation in the SoccerBuzz.com preseason poll and No. 16 in the NSCAA/adidas rankings.
"I thought we were organized and I thought we defended well," Princeton head coach Julie Shackford said. "I would like to see us more aggressive going forward, but it's a good starting point."
Senior Diana Matheson, who led Princeton with eight goals last year and is one assist from tying the all-time Princeton career mark, is on the other side of the globe preparing to represent Canada in the Women's World Cup in China. Sophomore Vicki Anagnostopoulos, second on the team in 2006 with six goals, was unable to play Friday due to injury.
Connecticut's best chance to score in the first half came in the 38th minute when senior defender Melissa Whitley was in position to knock down a ball deep in the Princeton zone. Instead, it took a turf bounce and was controlled by Connecticut's Annie Yi, who just missed the far right post. Other than that, the Huskies weren't able to catch Dale out of position before the break.
In the 72nd minute, Connecticut's Meghan Schnur drew a free kick after becoming entangled with Princeton's Marissa Sampias nearing the 18-yard box. Schnur wasn't able to bend it around the Princeton wall, however, and the match stayed scoreless.
With the shutout enduring into the 79th minute, the Tigers dodged another Connecticut chance when the Huskies' Jessica Diakun could have found open net by chipping in a crossing pass just in front of the goal line near the right post. The pass was too strong and Diakun sent it over the crossbar.
But the Huskies didn't miss their opportunity in the 84th minute. With a Princeton defender playing tight on her, Connecticut's Erin Clark threaded a soft shot just inside the 18 and past Dale, who had already dived a couple yards away in hopes of smothering the attempt.
Connecticut outshot Princeton 15-4 and Dale made five saves while the Tigers didn't force Huskies keeper Stephanie Labbe to make a save on net.
Four Princeton freshmen made their collegiate debuts as Sampias and Alexandra Valerio were in the starting lineup while Kayleigh Iatarola and Libby van Beuren entered as substitutes.
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