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Princeton University Athletics
Cecilia Cerone, Zoe Markesini and Esmé Rudell will captain the Tigers in 2026.
Cerone, Markesini, Rudell Named 2026 Captains
May 02, 2026 | Women's Soccer
A trio of rising seniors have been named captains for the 2026 Princeton women's soccer team as the Tigers take aim at a third straight Ivy League title, with Cecilia Cerone, Zoe Markesini and Esmé Rudell taking the leadership role.
"Our staff is thrilled to announce Zoe Markesini '27, Cece Cerone '27, and Esmé Rudell '27 as the captains for 2026," Princeton head coach Sean Driscoll said. "Their personal and collective journeys on campus have prepared them well to lead this next chapter of Princeton Women's Soccer. None of their respective paths have been straightforward; injuries and heartbreak have been a part of their story as have success and achievement. Through the inevitable rollercoaster of college sports, they have developed the character and resolve to lead this program. Their appreciation of what it means to wear our jersey is palpable as is the honor they feel to wear the armband. Zoe, Cece and Esme will lead with empathy, gratitude, a hunger to improve, and a true passion to win. Their incredibly close bond and respect for one another, along with their combined competitive fire, will bring out the very best in each of them and our team."
Over the Class of 2027's first three seasons, Princeton extended its season each time, making the Ivy League Tournament semifinal and the NCAA second round as rookies in 2023, winning the Ivy League double with the league and tournament titles and an NCAA first-round trip in 2024, and winning the Ivy title and making the Ivy League Tournament final in 2025.Â
After seeing spot duty behind future pro Tyler McCamey '25 over her first two seasons, Cerone played in all 17 games last season, accruing 1,031 minutes between the posts. A returning captain, Markesini, who also has experience as captain with the Canadian U-17 team at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, was a second-team All-Ivy honoree in 2024 after returning from competing at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. Last season, Markesini played in four games before losing the rest of the season due to injury. Rudell, too, was limited due to injury last season, playing in 10 games with seven starts before seeing her season end in early October against Yale.Â
Princeton will return to competition at Roberts Stadium in August.Â
"Our staff is thrilled to announce Zoe Markesini '27, Cece Cerone '27, and Esmé Rudell '27 as the captains for 2026," Princeton head coach Sean Driscoll said. "Their personal and collective journeys on campus have prepared them well to lead this next chapter of Princeton Women's Soccer. None of their respective paths have been straightforward; injuries and heartbreak have been a part of their story as have success and achievement. Through the inevitable rollercoaster of college sports, they have developed the character and resolve to lead this program. Their appreciation of what it means to wear our jersey is palpable as is the honor they feel to wear the armband. Zoe, Cece and Esme will lead with empathy, gratitude, a hunger to improve, and a true passion to win. Their incredibly close bond and respect for one another, along with their combined competitive fire, will bring out the very best in each of them and our team."
Over the Class of 2027's first three seasons, Princeton extended its season each time, making the Ivy League Tournament semifinal and the NCAA second round as rookies in 2023, winning the Ivy League double with the league and tournament titles and an NCAA first-round trip in 2024, and winning the Ivy title and making the Ivy League Tournament final in 2025.Â
After seeing spot duty behind future pro Tyler McCamey '25 over her first two seasons, Cerone played in all 17 games last season, accruing 1,031 minutes between the posts. A returning captain, Markesini, who also has experience as captain with the Canadian U-17 team at the 2022 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, was a second-team All-Ivy honoree in 2024 after returning from competing at the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. Last season, Markesini played in four games before losing the rest of the season due to injury. Rudell, too, was limited due to injury last season, playing in 10 games with seven starts before seeing her season end in early October against Yale.Â
Princeton will return to competition at Roberts Stadium in August.Â
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Soccer
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