M. soccer splits weekend games, but scoring remains an issue

The men's soccer team really needs to score.

Coming off a season in which the Tigers netted only 19 goals in 17 games, offense is at the top of the list of needed improvements for head coach Jim Barlow '91.

"[Offense] is obviously our biggest concern," Barlow said. "We simply need to score more goals than we did last year. We have some talented players in this position and we need them to step up and both create and put away more chances."

Princeton (1-1) opened up its 2003 season this weekend at the Penn/Kappa Classic, and while the Tigers only managed to score one goal, it was enough to earn the split and come back to campus even on the young season.

The chances presented themselves for the Tigers in their season-opener Friday against Villanova (2-3 overall, 0-2 Big East). Princeton was not able to convert those chances into goals, however, and dropped the game, 1-0.

A slow start

The contest started slowly for the Tigers, who were only able to manage three shots in the first half. Villanova got a quick break out of the gates, scoring a goal seven minutes after the opening whistle.

Wildcat Dan Massimini won the ball from a Princeton defender and sent it towards junior goaltender Erik White, who deflected it out towards the box. Another Wildcat was able to collect the rebound, and he tapped a soft pass to Jonathan Lopuski, who redirected it for what would stand up as the only goal of the game.

Princeton saw its best opportunity of the first half 35 minutes in, when freshman forward Kyle McHugh sent a header sailing towards the Villanova net. Wildcat goalie Craig Bald was able to make the save on the play.

The Tigers came out ready in the second half, dominating time of possession as well as shots on goal. After the lackluster first half output of only three shots, Princeton peppered the Villanova goalkeeper with eight shots in the second half.

Princeton's best second half chances were also on headers, as McHugh just missed tallying his first collegiate goal and senior defense Jeff Hare and senior midfielder Marty Shaw also came close to evening the score. The Wildcats were able to hold on for the win, however, leaving Princeton with a loss in its first game.

Against Lehigh (3-1-1) in their second game of the tournament, it was the Tigers getting in front early and hanging on for the win.

Sophomore midfielder Darren Spicer took a pass from junior forward Ryan Rich to score Princeton's first goal of the season at 23:38 of the first half.

Get the best of the ‘Prince’ delivered straight to your inbox. Subscribe now »

"It was a through ball," Rich said. "[Senior midfielder] Gianfranco Tripicchio passed it up to me. I dribbled it up the left side to the end line and crossed it in the air to Darren, and he headed it in."

The goal ended the Mountain Hawks' streak of four consecutive shutouts to start the season. Lehigh was also riding high after a 1-0 overtime upset of No. 25 Penn on Friday.

'Urgent'

"I think we were a lot more urgent [Sunday] and believed in ourselves more than we did on Friday," Rich said. "We know that we're a good team, and we just have to get comfortable together."

In addition to the win over a good team, the Penn/Kappa Classic provided the Tigers with a preview of what they may be able to expect from some of their young stars this year.

After netting three goals in his rookie season, two of which proved to be game-winners, Spicer once again proved crucial against Lehigh. McHugh also provided a spark for Princeton, particularly in the game against Villanova when he had some of the Tigers' best chances of the game.

"Kyle McHugh is definitely a goto-guy for us this year in terms of scoring goals and setting plays up in front," Rich said.

White also played well in goal, making three saves in his first shutout of the year.

After a trip overseas and a pair of games in Philadelphia, the Tigers return to Princeton to play four games on home soil.

Princeton plays its first game on home turf this Friday against Loyola at 7:30 p.m., then plays Towson on Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m.

The Tigers then host Hartwick and Seton Hall a week later before hitting the road once again in early Oct. to play Dartmouth in their Ivy League opener.