Hampered by bad bounces and barely-missed scoring chances, Princeton never lost confidence while facing Breck on Tuesday night. 

“It was very frustrating,” Tigers coach Pat Arens said. “But we knew the girls were moving the ball well and getting opportunities, so we knew (goals) would come.”

Arens proved to be correct, as Princeton scored three times in the second half to cruise past the Mustangs 4-0 at Breck’s McKnight Stadium in Golden Valley.

The Tigers, ranked No. 10 in the Class 1A coaches’ poll, improved to 5-0 on the season with the victory.  

Senior forward/midfielder Larkin Walter scored Princeton’s first two goals, relying her tremendous speed to motor around Mustang defenders. 

And she's got the green light to use her quickness to emerge from midfield to take advantage of slower defenders when necessary. 

“She’s a (Class 2A track and field state tournament) participant in the 100-meter hurdles, so she’s got some good wheels,” Arens said.

Walter's performance fueled her teammates' confidence that it would be only a matter of time before the offense would break out. When it did, the Tigers were off to the races.

“Once we got that first goal, (the other goals) just started coming,” Walter said. “We feed off each other’s energy and worked together to put the other ones away."

The pitch isn't the only place Walter is apt to score. She suits up for the Princeton girls’ hockey team and finished with 12 goals and 32 points last season. 

With Walter controlling play on one end of the ice, teammate Eden Betzer is minding the net on the other. She is also the soccer team's goalkeeper, and turned in another impressive performance Tuesday night with her fourth consecutive shutout of the season.

“Eden’s a beast,” Arens said matter-of-factly. “She’s played since ninth grade for us in nets, and I’m guessing (she has) about 30 shutouts since ninth grade.”

As it turns out, she does.

Betzer posted 12 clean sheets in two years ago and 14 last season. The four this year gives her 30, which ties her with former Orono goalkeeper Grete Miller for third on the all-time career shutouts list. Betzer trails just Eagan's Kristen Knutson (36) and Orono's Jessica Woessner (39).   

Along with attacking the ball fearlessly, Betzer plays the physical side of the game impressively. 

“I really like that part of being a goalie,” Betzer said with a grin, adding that the Tigers’ high-octane warmup is part of her success. 

“We do the same warmup before every game, and it’s really upbeat,” she said. “It gets me ready for the game.”

Senior forward Larkin Walter scored two goals and junior goalkeeper Eden Betzler recorded her fourth consecutive shutout to propel Princeton past Breck 4-0 Tuesday night at McKnight Stadium in Golden Valley. 

Senior forward Maggie Peterson and sophomore Hallie Chmielewski each tallied a goal for the Tigers (5-0), who are ranked No. 10 in the latest Class 1A coaches’ poll.

With the loss, Breck drops to 1-3-1 on the season.