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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Villanova
Players Mentioned
Princeton and No. 25 Villanova Play to 0-0 Draw in Women's Soccer
September 07, 2007 | Women's Soccer
PRINCETON ? It may not have yet resulted in a goal for the Princeton women's soccer team, but the improvement is there.
For the third straight game versus a nationally ranked or receiving-votes opponent, the Tigers were held scoreless. But for the first time in the season's first three contests, Princeton went whistle to whistle without giving up the one goal that dealt the Orange and Black each of its first two defeats.
Friday night, Villanova, ranked No. 25 in the NSCAA/adidas national poll, opened Princeton's home schedule on Powers Field at Princeton Stadium by tying the Tigers, 0-0. Princeton outshot Villanova 18-8 and 8-3 in shots on net.
Villanova moves to 2-0-1 on the season while Princeton is now 0-2-1.
“I think we competed really hard and I think we did enough to win the game,” Princeton head coach Julie Shackford said.
The only Wildcat the Tigers couldn't get past was goalkeeper Jillian Loyden, who continued her season-long shutout streak to 290 minutes.
“I have to give their goalkeeper, Jillian Loyden, a lot of credit. She was as much a weapon for them on offense as anyone,” Shackford said.
Taylor Numann, who helped protect Loyden's counterpart, Maren Dale, echoed her coach's thoughts.
“Obviously, we feel disappointed. We think we should have won the game, but kudos to their goalkeeper. She had a great game,” said Numann, the first-team All-Ivy junior. “This was a turning point for us. This is the way we want to play, with energy and passion.”
At the other end, Dale turned in a strong game as well, making three saves behind a defense that is a late goal to Connecticut and an early goal to Boston University away from its own shutout season.
The Tigers also snuffed out seven Villanova corner kicks while getting just two of their own.
Two of Princeton's underclassmen, freshman Alexandra Valerio and sophomore Vicki Anagnostopoulos, were particular signs of encouragement. Valerio led all shooters with four attempts, and Anagnostopoulos, who was second on the team in 2006 with six goals, returned from injury to make her first appearance of the season, subbing in during both halves.
Junior Sarah Peteraf and sophomore Marci Pasenello each had three shots, while Nikki Mabery had three to lead the Wildcats.
While Anagnostopoulos works her way back, Princeton is still without last year's leading scorer, Diana Matheson, who is playing with Team Canada in the Women's World Cup in China. The Big Red will play their first pool game Wednesday.
Princeton's schedule only gets more difficult as the Tigers will travel to Notre Dame for a pair of contests next weekend. Friday at 7:30 p.m., Princeton will face the host Irish, who are ranked second in the current NSCAA/adidas poll. Sunday at 11 a.m., Princeton will get Washington State.