Over the past two months, Princeton women’s soccer (14–4 overall, 6–1 Ivy League) has cruised past the Ivy competition on their ways to a regular season title and an Ivy Tournament title that was as commanding as they could have hoped for. Now, in their NCAA Tournament opener they will travel down to Charlottesville to take on the Virginia Cavaliers (12–5, 5–5 Atlantic Coast Conference).
The Cavaliers had a blazing start to their season, though stiff competition in the ACC has seen them limp to the finish line and give them a tough first round matchup against the Tigers. On the other side, Princeton had a few non-conference stumbles but has cruised through Ivy League play.
Both teams may have been somewhat disappointed to see their first round matchup, but it should be a battle nonetheless. Last year at the NCAA Tournament, Princeton defeated Michigan and lost to Texas Tech, and will look to improve on this result just as they’ve improved on their Ivy results throughout this season.
Associate Sports editor Hayk Yengibaryan ’26, staff Sports writer Lily Pampolina ’27, staff Sports writer Joe Uglialoro ’27 made their predictions for the game.
Princeton 2, Virginia 1 (AET) — Hayk Yengibaryan, Associate Sports Editor
At first glance, it may seem like the NCAA committee did not do the Orange and Black any favors with a draw against the Virginia Cavaliers, a squad that was ranked as high as No. 2 throughout the season.
However, it’s not about how you start the season, it’s how you finish it. The Cavaliers started the season 9–0, peaking in August when they beat then No. 3 ranked Penn State in State College. Since then, they are a disappointing 3–5.
The Cavaliers’ defense has been average at best during the season, allowing an average of a goal a game. For junior star forward Pietra Tordin, this will be good news. Tordin is averaging a goal a game for the Tigers. However, if the hosts choose to put their focus on Tordin, Princeton has multiple threats in the front line. First year forward Alexandra Barry has four goals and five assists while senior forward and captain Heather MacNab has eight assists.
The key for the Tigers will be containing the Virginia forward trio of Maggie Cagle, Meredith McDermott, and Allie Ross. The three have 16 of the 32 Cavalier goals from the 2024 season. Led by senior goalkeeper and captain Tyler McCamey, Princeton’s opponents average just 0.56 goals per game.
I expect Virginia to score early but am confident that Princeton will ease into the match and find an equalizer early in the second half. After both sides settle for extra time, I expect Barry to score the winner off the bench to extend Princeton’s season by one more week.
Princeton 2, Virginia 1 — Lily Pampolina, Staff Sports Writer
There is no doubt that this will be Princeton’s toughest matchup of the season. Virginia has been in and out of the top-25 rankings several times this fall, including holding several weeks at the No. 2 position. As a team that plays in the ACC, the Cavaliers have also played against a wide range of ranked opponents — including No. 2 Duke and No. 4 North Carolina — giving them plenty of experience against tough competition.
Still, Princeton has the depth and determination that can lead them to a tournament win.
The Tigers have been nearly perfect this fall, dropping only one game in conference play and out-scoring their league opponents 21–3 in the regular season. After winning the Ivy League tournament this past weekend, the team has showcased its resilience and ability to perform consistently.
Tordin has been a consistent force for Princeton this season and she will be looking to help lead the Tigers through this first round. Princeton also boasts several other key goal scorers who will help to lead the charge this Friday, like first-year forward Alexandra Barry and junior forward Drew Coomans.
To be successful against Virginia, though, Princeton’s emphasis will have to be on a strong defense. Like the Tigers, the Cavaliers have a wide range of goal scorers, with 11 different players scoring goals so far this season. Princeton’s defensive front must be dynamic and persistent, forcing Virginia to make tough passes into pressure where the midfield can help to contest. Sophomore defender Zoe Markesini will be a key part of this Tiger defense, as well as senior goalkeeper Tyler McCamey who will serve as a voice behind the back line.
Princeton will have to play all 90 minutes with intensity against a very experienced Virginia team in order to get a win. The game is in their hands, but it will take discipline and patience on both sides of the ball.
Princeton 1 (4), Virginia 1 (3) — Joe Uglialoro, Staff Sports Writer
After the Tigers won an Ivy League tournament that went just about as smoothly as possible, this team is poised to perform on an even bigger stage. The results the Tigers have gotten are better in almost every way possible than last year, winning the Ivy League regular season and postseason titles after finishing third and falling out in the first round of the tournament in their previous opportunities. That team reached the second round of the tournament, hosting and defeating Michigan before falling to Texas Tech in a dramatic penalty shootout.
Virginia, however, is a team closer in talent to Texas Tech than to Michigan. Unlike last year, the Tigers will be immediately thrust into a draw against a team that was ranked as high as No. 2 in the nation this year. The Cavaliers have been tested by top competition all year, holding their own against a number of top teams in a stacked ACC.
For the Tigers to steal a result in this match, they will need to limit a potent Virginia offense and sneak a goal against a team that has a tendency to concede in bunches. Ultimately, I expect the Tigers to survive for 120 minutes in Charlottesville and head to familiar territory: a penalty shootout. Here, the Tigers have two key advantages between experience from last year and Tyler McCamey, one of the nation’s premier goalkeepers, between the sticks. In such a situation, expect the Tigers to prevail in an instant classic.
Hayk Yengibaryan is an associate Sports editor and News contributor for the ‘Prince.’
Lily Pampolina is a staff Sports writer and a staff Audience creator for the ‘Prince.’
Joe Uglialoro is a staff Sports writer for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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