Princeton Soccer Aims High with Strong Performance Against Bryant

PRINCETON — The Princeton University men’s soccer team showcased their potential in a recent match against Bryant University, demonstrating their resolve and skill despite finishing with a 0-0 draw. Coach Jim Barlow, who has led the program for 29 years, is optimistic about his team’s capabilities as they prepare for the upcoming NCAA Tournament selection on November 17.

Princeton currently holds the No. 6 position in the United Soccer Coaches poll and ranks first in both the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) and the NCAA Division I Committee’s Top 16, as released on October 14, 2023. These standings position the Tigers as a top-four seed, enabling them to host matches throughout the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals, should they advance.

“We just keep trying to improve and make some of the details that keep us from getting a win in a game like this better,” Barlow stated after the match, reflecting on the team’s strong performance against an unbeaten Bryant squad. Following a cautious first half, Princeton intensified their efforts in the second, applying pressure that disrupted Bryant’s typically smooth play.

Senior forward Daniel Ittycheria, who has netted seven goals this season, expressed confidence in the team’s performance, stating, “I think it reaffirms that we are one of the best teams in the nation. We can take it to any team that comes into our house or if we go to theirs.”

Princeton’s defensive prowess has been a cornerstone of their success this season. The team, bolstered by junior goalkeeper Andrew Samuels, has conceded only four goals in 13 matches, placing them second nationally behind N.C. State, which has allowed just two goals. Samuels emphasized the importance of facing high-ranking teams, saying, “These are confidence builders for when we have to get a really big result. I love this team, I love my backline and I think we can beat anyone.”

As they look ahead, Princeton has three crucial Ivy League matches remaining—against Yale, Dartmouth, and Penn—before entering the Ivy League Tournament. This season marks the eighth time under Barlow that the Tigers are on track for NCAA Tournament qualification. Despite a challenging history in the tournament, with Barlow holding an 0-6-1 record, there is a palpable sense of optimism surrounding this year’s squad.

“The commitment to support each other is what makes this group of Tigers so dangerous,” Samuels noted. “We are such a selfless team and everyone is going to run for their lives and work for each other.”

With a solid foundation and a strong team dynamic, Princeton is focused on refining their game and striving for excellence as they approach the critical final stretch of the season.