The women's soccer team snapped its three-game losing streak in a big way Saturday night, beating Princeton 2-1 on home turf at Stevenson Field. Bruno's victory was its first over the Lady Tigers since 1997 and propelled the team back into contention for the Ivy League title.
As indicated by the game's 29 fouls, both teams clearly knew what was at stake on the rainy evening. With an 0-2 Ivy League record, a loss to Princeton would have all but eliminated the Bears from championship contention, while the Tigers were hoping to keep pace with second-place Columbia at 2-1.
Due to the unrelenting rain that fell throughout the day Saturday, the turf was dangerously slick, forcing Brown to adjust its attack accordingly. Jill Mansfield '07 was unable to use her trademark flip throw-in and had to settle for well-placed short throws. Her precision paid off in the first half.
At 17:49 into the half, Mansfield tossed the ball to Kathryn Moos '07 in the right corner. Moos then spun through two defenders and placed a shot past Princeton goalie Maren Dale. Forward Lindsay Cunningham '09 - who has earned herself a regular starting spot - put the ball home to give Brown a 1-0 lead.
"I was just in the right place at the right time," Cunningham said.
Cunningham also admitted that she was responsible for originating the stomach flu a couple of weeks ago that, according to tri-captain and goalie Hilary Wilson '06, has felled 11 Bears. The Bears were clearly running low on steam late in the first half as Princeton dominated play. The Princeton defenders were able to outnumber the Brown forwards, as the Bears' midfielders were forced to stay back and stop the Tiger attack.
Cunningham then came into play again when she found herself caught between two Princeton defenders and collided knees with a member of the Tigers. After lying on the field for what seemed like an eternity grimacing in pain, she was eventually helped off the field by attending trainers.
Bruno seemed motivated by its first-year's efforts, and Susie Keller '08 checked in for the injured Cunningham. The Bears surged at the end of the first half, controlling play and preserving their one-goal lead.
When the teams came out to start the second half, the game's intensity and physical play climbed another notch. Cunningham recovered enough to log some quality minutes in the second half. Meanwhile, Princeton keeper Dale was replaced by Emily Vogelzang in net.
Throughout the season, the Bears have excelled when they have a first-half lead. This would be no exception. Sweeper Kim LaVere '06 dropped the hammer on the Tigers at 75:12. Brown was given a direct kick in the bubble, inches away from the box. LaVere stepped up and blasted a shot past a wall of Princeton defenders and a diving, deflecting Vogelzang to give Brown an insurance goal.
LaVere was named Ivy League Player of the Week on Monday for her efforts during the game. Those efforts included leading a defense that allowed only seven of Princeton's 22 shots to reach the net.
LaVere's goal proved necessary as Princeton scored five minutes later to make it a 2-1 game. Maura Gallagher took an indirect kick for Princeton, and in the scrum that ensued, Arti Jain was able to slip a goal past Wilson.
It was the lone blemish in what was another outstanding performance for the tri-captain. Wilson posted six saves, many of which required diving efforts.
As the clock wound down, Bruno looked determined to avoid another of the late-game disappointments that have characterized the Bears' season thus far.
When the final whistle blew, the Bears rushed onto the field to celebrate their first victory over Princeton - a team that reached the NCAA Final Four last year - in eight years.
"This was an awesome win," Wilson said. "I'm not surprised. I'm so proud we came out and played the way we were capable of playing. I've never played for a team this good with a record like this."
The Bears, now 5-7 overall (1-2 Ivy), travel to Cambridge, Mass., for another crucial Ivy League match against Harvard at 11 a.m. Saturday.
"Our backs were against the wall and we were going to find out what kind of character this team had, and we did," Pincince said.
