As the women's soccer team takes the trip south to Richmond, Va., this weekend to compete in the Richmond Spider Classic, it comes upon the midpoint of its season.
The Tigers will take on the home team, the Richmond Spiders, in their first game tonight at 8 p.m. and then will battle American University on Sunday at noon.
The Spiders will be a challenge for Princeton, having knocked off Rutgers — the only team to hand a loss to Princeton — as well as No. 3 Maryland this season. American also poses a threat with a rejuvenated program that played Columbia to a draw earlier this year.
As the Tigers make the trek south to play the ninth and 10th contests of their 17-game season, it is time to look back at the first eight games and hand out a midseason report card.
Offense: B+ — If any portion of the team has struggled this year, it has been the offense. The attack, however, has provided enough goals to lead the Tigers to a gaudy 7-1 record so far and a perfect 3-0 in the Ivy League. Princeton will have to average more than the 2.1 goals per game it has so far if it is to have a chance against the national powers.
Senior Amee Reyes has been the most exciting forward with the ball, making a number of excellent plays to get good shots off, but has faced the same problem many of the other Tigers have — an inability to get the ball into the back of the net.
Freshman forward Theresa Sherry has shown a little of that touch, and is the Tigers' leading scorer this year with four goals and nine points. Sherry will have to keep putting numbers on the board for the Tigers' streak to continue.
....Senior Tanya Kal-ivas and sophomore Krista Ariss, who both had strong games and helped the Tigers explode for two late goals against Columbia on Saturday and three against Delaware on Tuesday, might be able to break the offense out of its slump.
Midfield: A- — With the exception of a lethargic first half against the Scarlet Knights, the midfield has been impressive, led by senior captain Julie Shaner, who has provided a rock-solid presence on both sides of the ball for Princeton.
The transition has been fluid. The Tigers usually have been able to control the midfield and take control of loose balls.
The outside midfielders have provided some of the most excitement for Princeton as sophomores Jenny Skinner and Alex Fiore as well as junior Linley Gober have used their speed to create plays on the offensive end.
Goaltending: A — Senior Jordan Rettig has been almost perfect this season, allowing only one goal in her eight starts. In many of those contests, however, she hasn't been tested. Rettig has only made 18 saves in over 600 minutes of play, a testament to the defense that plays in front of her. She has made all of the important plays, though, and provides a steady presence in net.
In Tuesday's game against Delaware, junior Catherine Glenn came in five minutes into the contest after Rettig was injured and showed that she is also up to the task, shutting out the Blue Hens.
Defense: A+ — At the beginning of the season, the defense set a goal for itself. It wanted to allow fewer than eight goals for the season.
That number is beginning to look a little high.
The heart of the defense, senior Jenny Lankford and junior Kelly Sosa, has been nearly perfect this season, shutting down all three Ivy opponents so far — including the potent offenses of Yale and Dartmouth.
Outside defender Heather Deerin has one of the strongest legs on the team and has been a potent weapon on free kicks and penalty shots.
Head coach Julie Shackford said at the beginning of the season, "I don't want the defense to have to be perfect every game." So far, it has been.
Overall: A — The Tigers have compiled a near-perfect record, stellar defensive statistics and a lead in the Ivy League. They have yet to show that domination on the scoreboard, however. With a few more strong performances Princeton should be able to ring up an Ivy title and another appearance in the NCAA tournament.
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