Women's Soccer: Princeton shut out by Big Green

The women’s soccer team could not find its first Ivy League victory this weekend, as second-half woes and finishing issues again hampered the Tigers at Dartmouth. The visitors dropped a tough 1-0 decision in the final minutes, falling to 0-2 in conference play.

The Tigers (1-7-1 overall, 0-2-0 Ivy League) came out on the wrong end of a disappointing 2-0 letdown against Yale in their Ivy League opener and hoped to recover from a season plagued by debilitating losses. The Tigers displayed a powerful offensive showing, but, as has often been the case this season, they were unable to find a break on offense. Princeton outshot Dartmouth (3-7, 1-1) 13-5 overall but could not find the back of the net.

Head coach Julie Shackford explained that the team has simply been unable to finish. “It’s weird. This is kind of uncharted territory for me, and if you don’t put those opportunities away, the more you set yourself to be vulnerable to those situations,” she said. “It could be a bit of anxiety or some lacking confidence on the team that could be preventing us from finishing.”

The rhythm of the game was even through the first half. Princeton had one fewer shot opportunity than Dartmouth but neither team had much leeway. In the second period, Princeton pushed an even stronger effort against the Big Green but still was unable to find any success. The Tigers outshot Dartmouth a staggering 10 to one after the break and had six corner kick opportunities without allowing the hosts any.

With two minutes left in regulation, Dartmouth striker Aly O’Dea picked up a loose ball in the Princeton box. Junior goalkeeper Kristin Watson made a push for the ball but could not block the shot before O’Dea put the ball in the back of the net.

“They got over halfway and our keeper punched it but couldn’t do it hard enough, and they were able to come back for an empty goal,” Shackford explained.

Watson, making her first start of the season, had only needed to make one save to that point in the match. Last season, Watson notched five shutouts for the Tigers and garnered a .805 save percentage.

Throughout the season, the Tigers have not stayed vigilant on defense in the latter halves of matches. Of the 17 goals Princeton has allowed this season, 12 of them have come in the second period. Furthermore, the game-deciding goals in three of Princeton’s seven losses have come in the last 10 minutes.

Princeton also had a 9-2 advantage in corner kicks but was still unable to find any success. Throughout the season, Princeton has had trouble converting on offense. The squad has outshot opponents in four of its seven defeats yet only managed a single goal in those matches.

Traditionally, Princeton has fielded close matches with the Big Green, and this match marks the sixth straight meeting that has been decided by a single goal.

The team is not expecting to change lineups or formations after the defeat. “We changed a lot for this game that worked pretty well and got us a lot of opportunities,” Shackford said.

“Some people may need another week of training to get used to the training,” she added. “Everyone’s frustrated since they are doing enough to win the game.”