Soccer teams split opening night

During an Aug. 28 tour of Myslik Field at Roberts Stadium, the new home of Princeton’s soccer teams, men’s coach Jim Barlow ’91 called the facility a “perfect environment” for soccer. Women’s coach Julie Shackford said that just stepping on the pitch had raised her team’s expectations. And women’s captain Jen Om ’09 added a concise description: “It’s big time.”

The women opened the stadium with a big-time win over Boston University Sept. 5. With just over a minute remaining in a 1–1 game, defender Bernie Da Costa ’11 dribbled down the right sideline from midfield to about five yards from the end line and zipped a long, low pass through the defense. Teammate Lisa Chinn ’09 met the ball in stride and poked it into the lower left corner of the net with one touch, giving the Tigers a 2–1 victory. 

In the second game of the opening-night doubleheader, Lehigh took a 2–0 lead against the Princeton men in the second half, but the Tigers fought back, narrowing the gap on a late goal by Brandon Busch ’11. Zach Wyzgoski ’12 nearly tied the score with a diving header in the closing minutes, but his shot went wide. Lehigh won, 2–1.  

Located on the former site of Lourie-Love Field, Roberts Stadium is named for lead donor and former Princeton goalkeeper Tom Roberts ’85. It can seat more than 2,300 fans and features a grass playing field and artificial turf practice field, along with new locker rooms, concessions stands, and restrooms. Myslik Field is named in honor of Rob Myslik ’90, a former player and assistant coach who died in 2003. The stadium will be formally dedicated Oct. 4 during a doubleheader against Dartmouth.