A team's "sparkplug" usually comes in for a short period of time to bring some energy to the team.
Senior midfielder Julie Shaner, however, brings that energy to the women's soccer team for all 90 minutes of the game.
"She seems to be able to run all game," head coach Julie Shackford said.
Shaner returns for her second season as Princeton captain, one of three this season for the Tigers, who are also led by junior defender Kelly Sosa and senior defender Jenny Lankford.
Shaner, however, is recognized by her peers as the vocal leader of the Tigers. And by playing in the center of the field, she is able to maintain contact with both the offensive and defensive sides of the team.
"We have a great veteran class team this year, but Julie really is our leader," Shackford said. "The team really respects her play and her work effort."
Skipper
From her spot at center midfield, Shaner coordinates the transition from defense to offense, a job that will be more important this year with an experienced defense.
With Sosa, Lankford and early-season scoring leader sophomore Heather Deerin in the always strong defensive backfield, Shaner will be given a chance to move up into the offensive flow more often without hurting the defense too much.
"Our goal this season is to allow fewer than 10 goals all year," Shackford said. "Our defense really feels like we can do it."
Since she does not have to help the defense as much, Shaner can concentrate on setting up the Tiger offense, which has had trouble putting the ball in the net in the past.
After leading Princeton in assists last season with six, Shaner is looking forward to running much of the offense this season.
"It used to be that we just moved the ball ahead to our offense and let them see what they could do, but scoring this year is going to be more of a team effort," Shaner said.
But even with her game savvy and experience, Shaner is still known for her outstanding athletic ability — her speed, stamina and agility.
Bearing down
"I do try to cover a lot of ground," Shaner said. "It can help to keep some pressure off the other players if they know I can cover the extra ground."
That extra speed and athletic ability on the field also gives the coach an extra level of comfort with the team.
"She'll be at one end of the field saving a goal one minute and at the other end finding a rebound and scoring the next," Shackford said. "She can do a little bit of everything."
That athletic ability also carries over into her second career as captain of the women's lacrosse team in the Spring.
Shaner is a two-time All-American for the women's lacrosse team and led them to the national championship game in May.
"With the lacrosse team, there's already the winning tradition," Shaner said. "We didn't have the same confidence on the soccer team, but now it's beginning to come along."
Women's soccer will need the veteran leadership and high octane play of Shaner to put points up on the board and get the Tigers back to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season.
Read More
By the Numbers: Women’s water polo seniors end strong and track records set
Harrison BlankThis week in By the Numbers, women's track and field shined down in Virginia and the Tigers clinched some conference regular season championships. Amid these accomplishments, the Tigers won over two-thirds of their games and had winning records both at home and on the road.
This week in By the Numbers, women's track and field shined down in Virginia and the Tigers clinched some conference regular season championships. Amid these accomplishments, the Tigers won over two-thirds of their games and had winning records both at home and on the road.
No. 2 men’s lacrosse overcomes slow start to defeat Penn, 12–8
Hayk YengibaryanThe Tigers’ 10–2 start is their best start to a season since 2009.
The Tigers’ 10–2 start is their best start to a season since 2009.
Women’s lacrosse earns regular season Ivy title after defeating Brown on senior day
Leila Eshaghpour-SilbermanPrinceton women’s lacrosse became regular season Ivy League champions for the first time since 2022.
Princeton women’s lacrosse became regular season Ivy League champions for the first time since 2022.