Spicer leads men's soccer to gutsy win over Loyola

While most of the Princeton community was busy moving in last Friday, the men's soccer team opened their season in auspicious fashion, beating Loyola 3-2 at Alumnae Field in Baltimore, Md.

Junior forward Darren Spicer led the Tigers with two goals, including the game winner in the 81st minute.

Princeton strikes early

Spicer started off the scoring in the fourth minute after a foul by Loyola defenseman Gabriel Ortega in the box gave the Tigers a penalty kick. Spicer took full advantage of the opportunity, blasting the ball into the left corner of the goal, past the outstretched arms of Loyola keeper Greg Peters.

Riding with the momentum, the Tigers struck again at 27:52, when junior forward Adrian Melville scored on a fast break, bouncing the ball off the top post and into the net.

But the Greyhounds had a reply to the Princeton onslaught, and fought back despite quickly finding themselves in an 0-2 hole.

In the 32nd minute, midfielder John Dalziel's shot was deflected out, giving Loyola a corner kick. Midfielder Rade Kokovic then connected with forward Jay Joyce who sent the ball in from the far post to set the score at 2-1.

Princeton went into the half with the lead, but with the momentum against them.

The Greyhounds struck again soon after the half in the 57th minute when forward Kevin Nash redirected a Dalziel shot with a header past Princeton junior keeper Erik White.

Stopping the slide

The game was seemingly slipping away from the Tigers as Loyola continued to attack, including a shot by defenseman Danny Wheelan in the 68th minute that hit off the post.

But Spicer was not about to let this one slip away.

Senior forward Ryan Rich, who is already the career leader for assists at Princeton, set up the goal with a crossing pass in the 81st minute. Spicer then put the ball away with a header from in front of the goal.

The Tiger defense then shut down Loyola for the remaining time, and Princeton came away with a quality opening win.

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"I think it was a really good starting point for the season," Rich said.

White finished the game with two saves while Peters finished with five. White's play, though, went beyond his numbers. His leadership in the back held the Tiger defense together when Loyola made its run.

The Tigers' season continues on Friday when the team travels to Ohio take on Akron. Their home opener will be next Tuesday against Drexel.

"We worked really hard in preseason, and that helped us be competitive and edge out a win," Rich said. "Now we need to carry it over into Akron and keep a winning streak going."