Princeton to meet familiar foe in 2nd round
After opening weekend, they’re all still standing when it comes to area women’s college soccer teams.
In the NCAA Division I Tournament, Princeton and Rutgers both won first-round games, while in Division III play, The College of New Jersey blitzed through the first two round sin impressive fashion.
Here’s how it played out:
GROUND HOG DAY
Forgive Princeton if it feels like Bill Murray re living the same day over again, but that’ s how the first two round soft he tournament have played out.
After dispatching Monmouth, 4-0, last Friday night, the 4th-seeded Tigers (15-2) move on to play North Carolina State (15-5-1) on Friday at 2:30 p.m.
This marks the second straight NCAA foe that Princeton will have played during the regular season. It defeated Mon mouth in the season-opener, and took at 2-0 win at N.C. State on Sept. 2. While part of the fun of the NCAA tournament is to see new teams, Tigers co-captain Vanessa Gregoire isn’t complaining.
“It was definitely unexpected but it doesn’t bother me,” the senior mid-fielder from Quebec said. “If anything, it present san interesting and exciting challenge for us.”
One of those challenges being that it must defeat a quality side twice in one season. Princeton was unranked and the Wolfpack were No. 20 in the firstmeeting, whereas the Tigers are now No. 13 while NC State is 21st.
Princeton was out-shot, 15-7 overall and 6-4 in shots on goal in the first meeting, but goalie Natalie Grossi made six saves for the shutout (and had an assist) while Mimi Asom and Mikaela Symanovich scored the goals.
None of that will really mean much once Friday arrives, however.
“It’s always a difficult task to play a team twice,” Gregoire said. “It poses an interesting challenge but it is not one we are unaccustomed to. We expect themto present something different than they had at the time we last played them. We’ll be sure to recognize their strengths and weaknesses but most importantly we’ll stand by our own game, our abilities, hardwork and playing style to get the job done.”
The Tigers certainly did that in a dominating performance against the Hawks, as As om scored two goals while Abby Givens and Carolyne Davidson had one apiece. Princeton held a 28-6 shot advantage and put 16 shot son goal.
“I think we had a solid performance against Monmouth,” said Gregoire, who had two assists in the match. “We knew heading into the game that they were going to come out strong so part of our preparation included making sure that we matched their energy from the very beginning. In away this entire season has prepared us for the tournament so I think it was just about us going out there and playing like we knowhow.”
Friday’s winner meets the survivor of Colorado-North Carolina on Sunday.
MEETING EXPECTATIONS
As the No. 1 ranked team in Division III, The College of New Jersey is being told by the coaches that it is expected to make a run in this year’s tournament.
So far, so good.
TCNJ (20-0) will host the sectional rounds after dominating 3-0 wins over Roger Williams and Virginia Wesley an at home last weekend. The Lions entertain Lynchburg at 11 a.m. Saturday, followed by Messiah-MIT at 1:30. The winners meet at 1 p.m. Sunday for a Final Four berth.
In the early-round wins, TCNJ held a 56-5 shot advantage, put 29 shots on goal and allowed just one shot on goal. Robbinsville grad Christine Levering had three goals, while Liz Tho res en and Jessica Goldman had ago al and two assists each while Taylor Nolan also scored. Levering has 15 goals as she continues to add to her school record for points.
“I thought the weekend was very good,” coach Joe Russo said. “Each weekend we approach as a two- game season so the tournament itself is not so overwhelming, and I actually thought we played very well both days.
“We created a lot of dangerous chance sand were pretty efficient in finishing. Our ability to play many players was a huge advantage. I thought that we played at a pretty high level and with a very good purpose.”
Lynchburg invades Ewing with a 20-3 record and No. 20 national ranking.
MORGAN TOWN BOUND
No. 22 Rutgers (13-2-5) earned a second-round match-up at West Virginia after taking a 3-1 first-round homewin over LaSalle.
“It’s very exciting to advance,” said Montgomery High grad Colby Ciarrocca, who had two assists against the Explorers. “We take a lot of pride in it, especially getting a win on Yurcak Field and for the seniors since it was our last time stepping on this field.”
And while the seniors went out winners on their home field, it was underclassmen who made a difference as freshmen Amirah Ali and Alexa Ferreira and sophomore Brittany LaPlant had the goals.
“It was really good to get those points on the board and have a lot of different people contributing goals,” Ciarrocca said. “It adds a lot of confidence moving to the next round.”
The No. 7 Mountaineers (17-3-2) present a huge challenge when the teams meet at 7 p.m. Friday. The winnertakes on the Penn State-Wake Forest survivor in Morgan town on Sunday. WVU reached the 2016 national championship game and has outscored teams 39-13 this year.