The Ivy League preseason poll has already handed the Princeton Tigers a decisive endorsement, awarding them 120 points and ten of the sixteen first‑place votes, a clear signal that the league expects them to dominate once again.
Central to that optimism are the players who helped the team capture back‑to‑back titles last season, including junior forward Alexandra Barry, who contributed five goals and fourteen points, and midfielder Dylan Jovanovic, who added six assists and two goals. Their impact will be reinforced by the presence of senior goalkeeper Cecilia Cerone and junior keeper Sydney Romano, both of whom anchored a defense that proved difficult to breach.
The Tigers’ recent history adds another layer of intrigue. After capturing the league and tournament championships in 2024, Princeton became the first program to host the Ivy League Tournament twice, a feat that underscores their growing influence in the conference. If the poll’s forecast holds, the team could rewrite a narrative that has not seen three consecutive, unshared titles since the early 2000s, a streak that was last matched by Harvard’s 1995‑97 run.
A New Chapter Begins
Next season will open with a pair of non‑conference fixtures against Loyola (Md.) and Syracuse at Roberts Stadium, providing an early test of the squad’s depth before Ivy League play begins. Coach will look to blend the experience of returning starters with the energy of fresh recruits, aiming to sustain the momentum that has carried the program through a historic three‑year stretch. The blend of offensive firepower and a fortified backline suggests that Princeton is not merely hoping to repeat, but to cement a legacy that could extend well beyond the current era.