Princeton University’s women’s soccer program is set to kick off the 2026 campaign with a home matchup against Loyola on August 20, a date that marks the first step of a schedule deliberately designed to test the team’s depth and tactical flexibility.
Opening Challenge
The non‑conference slate reads like a gauntlet: after Loyola, the Tigers will travel to face Syracuse, then host a nationally ranked West Virginia side, and later test themselves against Ohio State and in‑state rival Rutgers. Each opponent brings a different style of play, forcing the coaching staff to fine‑tune strategies on the fly.
At the heart of the roster are veterans who have already tasted success. Zoe Markesini, the 2024 All‑Ivy League second‑team selection, returns after a leg injury that kept her out for much of the previous season, while midfielder Alex Barry, who contributed five goals and four assists in 2025, provides a reliable attacking outlet. Freshman forward Victoria Adams, a top‑200 recruit according to Top Drawer Soccer, joins a group that also includes returning scorer Dylan Jovanovic, who adds experience and versatility.
Coach Sean Driscoll, now in his 12th year at the helm, has woven a narrative of personal growth and collective accountability into the team’s daily routine. Inspired by Brad Ledbetter’s book *What Drives Winning*, Driscoll emphasizes that each player’s strengths must be aligned with a shared mindset, turning individual talent into a cohesive unit capable of thriving under pressure.
The Tigers’ recent history offers a blueprint for continued excellence. After a 15‑3‑1 season five years ago that culminated in an Ivy League championship and an NCAA tournament victory, Princeton endured a rebuilding year in which key graduates departed, yet the squad still finished 8‑6‑3 overall. The experience gained from replacing departed players such as Brooke Dawahare and Drew Coomans has forged a resilience that Driscoll believes will be decisive in the upcoming matches.
Ambition and Expectation
With a third straight Ivy League regular‑season crown and a return to the NCAA tournament as the ultimate goal, the team approaches each game as a ‘dog fight’, aware that they may enter as underdogs but confident in their technical superiority and depth.