NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Behind a remarkable defensive outing on Saturday night, the Yale women's soccer program earned a 1-0 victory over Princeton in its Ivy League opener at Reese Stadium – its first home win against the Tigers since 2006.
Sophomore
Ellie Rappole scored the eventual game-winning goal, while sophomore goalkeeper
Maya Bellomo made six saves – including a critical diving stop in the 82
nd minute – to lift the Bulldogs (4-4-1, 1-0 Ivy) to its third shutout win of the season. The victory also snapped Yale's four-match losing skid.
In a game highlighted by defense, the Elis proved to be resilient while facing a deficit in shots (19-9) and corner kicks (14-4) during the match. Bellomo led the charge in net, recording her fourth shutout of the season – and her fourth match with at least six saves. Yale hands Princeton (5-4, 0-1 Ivy) its first Ivy League loss in almost a full calendar year (Oct. 9, 2021 at Brown).
Rappole – Yale's leading scorer – got the Bulldogs a quick lead in the sixth minute after firing a shot into the upper right corner of the net, past the diving reach of Princeton goalie Tyler McCamey. The 1-0 lead would prove to be enough for Yale, which remained tough against Princeton's offensive attack for the rest of the night.
What started as a quiet outing for Bellomo – not making her first save until the 27
th minute – turned into a battle as the Yale defense worked to maintain the team's one-goal advantage. Three of Bellomo's six saves came in the first half.
Yale had several chances to add an insurance goal in the second half, including a header from sophomore
Rebeka Roth off a corner kick that missed high over the crossbar in the 57
th minute. In the 75
th minute, sophomore
Tina Teik ripped a shot from outside the penalty area that required a miraculous save from McCamey to nudge the ball over the bar.
As the Bulldogs' defense continued to deny Princeton its tying goal, it was Bellomo's goalkeeper instincts that secured Yale's victory. In the 82
nd minute, Princeton's Prince Coomans was on a breakaway when Bellomo ran out of the net to cut off her shooting angle and made an incredible diving stop to keep the 1-0 margin intact.
Yale's backline of sophomores
Marz Akins, Nana Yang and
Laila Booker, as well as first year
Logan Jacobs, frustrated Princeton's offense and helped deal the Tigers their fourth shutout loss of the season.
The Elis remain undefeated at Reese Stadium this season, improving to 4-0-1 in five matches. Loring Family Head Coach
Sarah Martinez earned her first-ever win against Princeton.
UP NEXT
Ivy League play continues next weekend when Yale travels to play rival Harvard on Saturday in Cambridge. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. and the match will be live streamed on ESPN+.
