A Stormy Start Turns Into a Statement Victory
Princeton University’s women’s soccer team opened its season with a convincing 3‑0 victory over Loyola University Maryland on Thursday, August 22, handing the Tigers their first win of the campaign.
The match, originally slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff, was pushed back nearly two hours by heavy thunderstorms that rolled through the area, finally getting underway at 8:50 p.m.
Senior midfielder Kayla Wong, a 5‑4 native of Manalapan, was the engine of the offense, delivering two precise assists that set up goals by Dylan Jovanovic and Isabella Garces in the first half, helping the Tigers build an early lead.
Wong’s vision and composure under pressure were on full display, as she threaded passes through Loyola’s defense and kept the tempo high despite the delayed start.
Freshmen Stella Monberg and Mariana Gomez also contributed assists, underscoring the growing influence of the newcomers and giving the squad depth heading into the next fixtures.
The defensive unit, anchored by Julia Johnson and CeCe Cerone, limited Loyola’s chances throughout, while sophomore Maddie Recupero capped the scoring with the final goal with 20:26 left on the clock.
Head coach Sean Driscoll praised Wong’s playmaking, noting that her leadership will be vital as the team looks toward upcoming matches against No. 22 West Virginia on August 27 and James Madison on August 30, and ultimately aims to build momentum for the 2026 season.