All season, the women's soccer team has relied on its defense. With six shutouts and only one goal allowed in seven games, Princeton's defenders have looked as though no one could get past them. Nevertheless, one question must have loomed large in the Tigers' minds: What would happen if the defense broke down?
Princeton found out the answer to that query Friday night as it lost, 3-1, to the University of Richmond. The Tigers (8-2 overall, 3-0 Ivy League) traveled to Richmond, Va., for the Wachovia Classic, where the hosts — the No. 25 Spiders — finally found a way to crack the defensive wall.
In its second game of the tournament, the Princeton offense redeemed itself Sunday, defeating an overmatched American University squad (2-8-2), 3-0.
Richmond's season thus far has been one of great success, as the Spiders (8-3) knocked off No. 3 Maryland, Sept. 9, then handed Rutgers a loss Sept. 17. The Tigers, however, are still smarting from their Sept. 26 loss to the Scarlet Knights.
In Friday's contest, the Spiders quickly found their way to Princeton's net. Richmond midfielder Molly Rettig blasted a rocket past senior goalie Jordan Rettig (no relation) — only the second shot to have eluded the Tiger goalkeeper this season.
Only eight minutes later, the Spiders again made their way through the Tiger defense to score their second goal of the game. The once insurmountable wall was beginning to crumble.
The second half started out much the same as the first, with Richmond exploiting the Princeton defense. Putting pressure on the Tiger back four, the Spiders pushed the lead to 3-0 behind a score from Brooke Sands at the 57:06 mark.
One of Princeton's biggest problems throughout the season has been the offense's inability to convert on shots. With such a strong defense, however, the Tigers have still been able to win — even with a low goal total. In Friday's game, Princeton outshot the Spiders, 25-17, but could only manage one goal in the closing moments of the game.
At 83:48, freshman forward Teresa Sherry — the team's leading scorer — netted her fifth goal of the season off an assist by junior midfielder Linley Gober, to bring the game's final score to 3-1.
Resurrection
After its disappointing showing Friday night, the Tiger offense showed up with a vengeance Sunday afternoon against American.
Throughout the scoreless first half, it looked as though the offense again might not be able to convert its shot opportunities into goals. Outshooting the Eagles, 14-3, Princeton was in control, but could not show it on the scoreboard.
Finally, in the 64th minute, Gober connected on a shot from outside the penalty box, opening up the floodgates.
Sophomore forward Krista Ariss and senior forward Amee Reyes scored almost back-to-back goals in the last 20 minutes of the game. Ariss blasted a one-timer past Eagle goalie Jackie Sierodzinski in the 74th minute, while five minutes later, Reyes cleverly placed a shot inside the post for Princeton's final goal of the game.
In Sunday's 3-0 win, the Tiger defense returned to form — allowing American only five shots. Rettig needed to make only one save throughout the entire contest.
Princeton has this week off in preparation for its matchup with Brown Oct. 13. In this battle of undefeated Ivy League teams, both defense and offense will need to work hand-in-hand.
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