(Photo by Stephen Goldsmith) QUICK STRIKE: Princeton University men’s soccer star Antoine Hoppenot races up the field in a game last fall in his freshman season. The former Princeton Day School standout earned second-team All-Ivy League honors last fall as he tallied three goals and two assists. The speedy striker is aiming to be a more deadly finisher this fall as Princeton looks to improve on the 5-9-3 record it posted in 2008.

Coming Off Big Debut Season for PU Men’s Soccer, PDS Alum Hoppenot Shooting to be Deadly Finisher

Bill Alden

There was a buzz in the air on the first Friday of last September when the Princeton University men’s soccer team took the field for its first-ever game at Roberts Stadium.

A raucous opening night crowd was on hand and the Princeton players flew all over the well-groomed pitch as they battled Lehigh in the state-of-the-art facility.

Perhaps nobody on hand that evening felt the electricity more than Antoine Hoppenot.

The former Princeton Day School star was making his college debut and he gave the Tigers a jolt when he came off the bench some 25 minutes into the first half.

“I was really excited; I knew there were a lot of people at the field who had come to see me,” said Hoppenot, noting that many of his former high school and club team friends were in attendance. “I was pretty nervous; it was exciting to have that support.”

It didn’t take long for Hoppenot to realize that he had to channel that excitement into keeping up with the speed of the college game.

“It is almost like a different sport; it is so much faster,” said the speedy 5’8, 145-pound striker Hoppenot, who used his speed to generate four shots on the evening as Princeton fell 2-1.

“In high school, you can hold the ball for five seconds. In college, you have a half-second to make a decision. You have to be in great shape; there is so much running off the ball.”

As Hoppenot heads into his second college season when the Tigers play at Lehigh this Friday night, he brings the confidence that comes with earning second-team All-Ivy honors.

“It was quite a surprise,” said Hoppenot, reflecting on the All-Ivy accolade.

“I hadn’t scored much in league games so I was really happy to see that my play was recognized.”

In reflecting on his freshman season, Hoppenot acknowledged that he wasn’t happy with the fact that it took him 10 games to score his first goal.

“I was a little frustrated,” said Hoppenot, who broke through with a goal in a 2-1 overtime loss to Adelphi in early October.

“I wanted to get a goal and calm down. The first goal is the hardest; at the same time I thought I had some good chances. The first goal was a little flukey. It came on a 30-yard strike by one of our midfielders and I toe-poked it in.”

A week later, Hoppenot proved his opening salvo was no fluke as he tallied two goals and an assist in a 3-0 win over Rutgers.

“I was moving off the ball really well,” recalled Hoppenot, who ended the season with three goals and two assists. “It was a night game and there was a big crowd. That gives you more energy and I felt good on the field that night.”

Hoppenot felt good about how the Tigers worked this spring as they looked to build on a 3-1-2 finish last fall which left them with an overall 5-9-3 record.

“Some of the older guys were saying it was one of the best springs we have had,” asserted Hoppenot.

“The players were taking it seriously. People came in confident and excited. We had some very good stretches. I worked on my shooting. I worked with the coaches during practice and spent time on it with teammates after practice.”

Over the summer, Hoppenot has continued to work hard. “I have never been in better shape going into a season,” maintained Hoppenot, who played for the Match-Fit Chelsea U-19 team which advanced to regional competition.

“After the spring and summer work, I feel I can score. I am trying to play even more quickly and make decisions faster.”

In Hoppenot’s view, collective team quickness could be a key as the Tigers look to be an Ivy title contender.

“There has been a lot of talking among the players; we are confident,” said Hoppenot.

“We should be good; we need to stay together and play our game. When we get the ball moving on the ground, we are good. We are much quicker than most of the other teams.”

And with the electricity provided by Hoppenot up front, Princeton could race past many of those other teams this fall.

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