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Princeton University Athletics
Beckwith and Samuels Named 2026 Captains
May 20, 2026 | Men's Soccer
PRINCETON, N.J. – Liam Beckwith and Andrew Samuels were named captains of Princeton men's soccer for the 2026 season.
Elected by their teammates, Beckwith and Samuels will lead the squad this fall as it looks to build on last year's success.
With a historic 2025 season, the Tigers went undefeated in Ivy League play while not conceding a single goal. Princeton became the first team to win both the Ivy regular season championship and the Ivy League Tournament, the program's second-consecutive ILT title. In November, Princeton was seeded third in the NCAA tournament - the highest seed ever by an Ivy League team.
Starting goalkeeper Samuels and midfielder Beckwith were both instrumental to the Tigers' success last season, and now, entering their senior year, they will take the reins for the 2026 Tiger squad.
Samuels, the 2025 Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, was a national leader last season in goals against, save percentage, and shutouts.
Finishing with a GAA of 0.37, Samuels ranks second in program history in the stat and third in save percentage (0.897).
Allowing just seven goals on the year, he made a program-record 12 shutouts during the season.
Returning to lead the Orange & Black for his senior season, Samuels said: "I'm extremely grateful and excited to lead such an awesome group of guys. I've had such great captains in my previous three years, so it's an honor to follow in their footsteps and leave my legacy on such a great program."
"Going into next season, our goal is to be a hungry and competitive team. Defending the Ivy League championship is our number one priority," Samuels added. "We want to continue where we left off last season, and be an even more successful squad in 2026!
Beckwith, a key piece of the Tiger midfield, started all 19 games for the Tigers in 2025 while notching two goals and five assists.
He was a 2025 Second Team All-Ivy and an Academic All-District honoree.
In the Ivy League tournament final, Beckwith scored to secure the Tigers' second-consecutive ILT title. For his efforts, he was named to the Ivy League All-Tournament team.
"I am honored to have been selected as captain for Princeton Men's Soccer. Knowing that this recognition comes from my teammates makes it especially meaningful, and it has made me more motivated than ever to give everything I have for them and this program," said Beckwith.
"Throughout my time with Princeton Soccer, I have had the opportunity to learn from many great leaders, and I am ready to carry forward the values they exemplified. Looking ahead to next year, I believe we have an incredibly strong group of players who are hungry and eager to build on last year's progress.
Each day, we are growing closer as a team and raising our level in preparation for the season ahead. We know that to reach our goals, we must continue to meet and demand our standard of discipline, accountability, and excellence. I have no doubt that we will accomplish our goals, and I cannot wait for the fall season to begin."
Elected by their teammates, Beckwith and Samuels will lead the squad this fall as it looks to build on last year's success.
With a historic 2025 season, the Tigers went undefeated in Ivy League play while not conceding a single goal. Princeton became the first team to win both the Ivy regular season championship and the Ivy League Tournament, the program's second-consecutive ILT title. In November, Princeton was seeded third in the NCAA tournament - the highest seed ever by an Ivy League team.
Starting goalkeeper Samuels and midfielder Beckwith were both instrumental to the Tigers' success last season, and now, entering their senior year, they will take the reins for the 2026 Tiger squad.
Samuels, the 2025 Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, was a national leader last season in goals against, save percentage, and shutouts.
Finishing with a GAA of 0.37, Samuels ranks second in program history in the stat and third in save percentage (0.897).
Allowing just seven goals on the year, he made a program-record 12 shutouts during the season.
Returning to lead the Orange & Black for his senior season, Samuels said: "I'm extremely grateful and excited to lead such an awesome group of guys. I've had such great captains in my previous three years, so it's an honor to follow in their footsteps and leave my legacy on such a great program."
"Going into next season, our goal is to be a hungry and competitive team. Defending the Ivy League championship is our number one priority," Samuels added. "We want to continue where we left off last season, and be an even more successful squad in 2026!
Beckwith, a key piece of the Tiger midfield, started all 19 games for the Tigers in 2025 while notching two goals and five assists.
He was a 2025 Second Team All-Ivy and an Academic All-District honoree.
In the Ivy League tournament final, Beckwith scored to secure the Tigers' second-consecutive ILT title. For his efforts, he was named to the Ivy League All-Tournament team.
"I am honored to have been selected as captain for Princeton Men's Soccer. Knowing that this recognition comes from my teammates makes it especially meaningful, and it has made me more motivated than ever to give everything I have for them and this program," said Beckwith.
"Throughout my time with Princeton Soccer, I have had the opportunity to learn from many great leaders, and I am ready to carry forward the values they exemplified. Looking ahead to next year, I believe we have an incredibly strong group of players who are hungry and eager to build on last year's progress.
Each day, we are growing closer as a team and raising our level in preparation for the season ahead. We know that to reach our goals, we must continue to meet and demand our standard of discipline, accountability, and excellence. I have no doubt that we will accomplish our goals, and I cannot wait for the fall season to begin."
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Soccer
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