A Promising Start
Princeton University’s men’s soccer program enters the 2026 campaign as the reigning Ivy League champion, riding the momentum of a 15‑2‑2 record from the previous season in which the team did not concede a single goal in league play.
The Tigers will open the season with two non‑conference fixtures, hosting Villanova on August 28 before traveling to face the third‑ranked Portland Pilots on August 31, a matchup that pits Princeton against two of the nation’s most promising squads.
Returning stalwarts anchor the side. Senior goalkeeper Andrew Samuels, the 2025 Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, is joined by junior defender Roka Tsunehara, who earned a spot on the United Soccer Coaches “Defenders to Watch” list. Head coach Jim Barlow, now in his thirtieth year at the helm, brings a career tally of 237 wins to the field.
Both opponents arrive with strong early‑season form. Villanova opened its schedule with victories over Temple and Saint Peter’s, while Portland, ranked third in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll, reached the NCAA quarterfinals a year ago.
Princeton’s preseason ranking reflects the optimism surrounding the squad. The team sits eighth in the United Soccer Coaches poll and was selected to finish first in the Ivy League preseason poll, collecting 14 of the 15 first‑place votes.
The roster also welcomes six newcomers from the class of 2030, adding depth as the Tigers look to defend their league title and make another deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Looking Ahead
With a blend of seasoned leaders and fresh talent, the Tigers aim to translate early‑season momentum into a sustained push for another Ivy League crown and a higher NCAA seed than the historic third‑place finish of last year.