HEWING TO THE LINE: Princeton University women’s soccer player Eve Hewins, left, battles a Rutgers player for the ball last Saturday night at Roberts Field. Junior defender Hewins came up big as Princeton battled No. 21 Rutgers to a scoreless draw through regulation and 20 minutes of overtime. The Tigers, now 2-1-1, play at No. 15 Georgetown (3-2-1) on September 12 and at Maryland (3-2-1) on September 15. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

After it was over, Eve Hewins collapsed to the turf at Roberts Field, unable to stand up for several minutes.

Hewins was demonstrating the effects of having played all 110 minutes for the Princeton University women’s soccer team as it battled No. 21 and undefeated Rutgers to a scoreless draw through regulation and 20 minutes of overtime.

Getting tended to by the trainer and gulping some Gatorade, junior defender Hewins finally got to her feet and reflected on the effort as the Tigers moved to 2-1-1.

“It is a lot of running, it was hard,” said Hewins. “Competition-wise, I think that was our hardest one of the season. It was a rivalry game.”

The Tigers were ready to play hard in the first match-up against their local rivals since 2015.

“We weren’t happy with our record so far; we haven’t had many games yet but I think losing to Boston College on our own field [2-1 on September 1] really impacted us,” said Hewins, a native of Hingham, Mass.

“Coming to this game, it is another top tier team. We came in with a chip on our shoulder, we wanted to show everybody that we aren’t the team that lost to BC.”

Over the last 45 minutes of regulation, Princeton came hard at Rutgers, outshooting the Scarlet Knights 8-2.

“In the second half, we definitely had a ton of chances,” said Hewins. “We are not satisfied because we should have scored on the chances that we had but I think we are proud of the effort that we put in.”

In the overtime, the Tigers had to hold the fort as Rutgers built a 6-3 edge in shots during extra time.

“That goes to show how hard we worked in the offseason fitness-wise and on our football,” said Hewins in assessing Princeton’s defensive effort.

“We were catching up to a team that has been playing since August 1. We just got here three weeks ago.”

As a junior, Hewins is looking to make an impact with her skill and work ethic.

“I came here as a forward, I was put on defense to also act as a forward and add numbers going in which was an interesting change,” said Hewins, a second-team All-Ivy League selection last fall.

“As an upperclassman, it is important for me to show everyone how hard I work and hopefully that will channel to everyone else.”

Hewins has channeled something special in her partnership on the back line with fellow junior Lucy Rickerson.

“Lucy and I came in together, we have been playing next to each other on same line for two years now,” said Hewins.

“We were talking on the back line the other day and sometimes it feels like we can read each other’s minds because we practice together everyday.”

With Princeton playing at No. 15 Georgetown (3-2-1) on September 12 and at Maryland (3-2-1) on September 15, Hewins and her teammates are looking to put things together against two more formidable foes.

“We are super excited for Georgetown; we didn’t get the result we wanted last year,” said Hewins, referring to a 2-1 overtime loss to the Hoyas who went on to make the NCAA semis.

“We are really looking forward to that game and then we play at Maryland. We have always thrived away so it will be interesting to see how the group here does traveling. We really haven’t had any trips yet other than when we went on the bus to St Joe’s. It will be a good experience.”