The Princeton University men’s soccer squad enters the 2026 season with a clear mandate: protect the Ivy League title that propelled them to an eighth‑place finish in the United Soccer Coaches Poll. Veteran head coach Jim Barlow, now in his tenth year at the helm, has framed the preseason ranking as a starting point rather than a destination, insisting that the team must earn every point on the field.
Preparing for a Demanding Schedule
The Tigers will open on September 26 at Dartmouth before traveling to face Cornell, Penn, Harvard, Brown, Yale and Columbia in a gauntlet that Barlow describes as a test of depth and resilience. A early‑season showdown with Villanova on Friday at Roberts Stadium will pit Princeton against a 2‑0 Wildcats side that recently defeated Temple and St. Peter’s, with former Princeton All‑America Antoine Hoppenot serving as an assistant on Villanova’s staff.
At the heart of Princeton’s defense is goalkeeper Andrew Samuels, who set a program record with twelve shutouts in 2025 and finished the season among the nation’s leaders in goals‑against average (0.37) and save percentage (0.897). Joining him are Roka Tsunehara, who anchored a back line that conceded just one goal in the Ivy League tournament and earned a spot on the United Soccer Coaches Defenders Watch List, as well as midfielders Bardia Hormozi, Liam Beckwith and Dash Papez, all of whom return with proven experience.
Barlow has repeatedly emphasized that the Tigers’ mentality will be their greatest asset. He notes that daily improvement, a willingness to adapt, and a collective hunger to finish chances will determine whether the team can translate its defensive solidity into a winning record. The coaching staff’s blend of seasoned insight and youthful energy, he argues, creates an environment where every player is accountable for the team’s ultimate goal: to be difficult to score against while capitalizing on every opportunity.
If the early results are any indication, Princeton’s blend of disciplined defense, experienced leadership and a schedule that demands constant adaptation could see them not only retain the Ivy League crown but also climb higher in the national rankings. The season ahead promises a compelling narrative of tradition meeting ambition, with the Tigers poised to write another chapter of success at the storied institution.