Men's soccer goes 0-1-1 in league play

The men's soccer team entered Fall Break with a 2-0-1 league record and an opportunity to better its chances at an Ivy League title. Awaiting over the break were Harvard, St. Peters, and Cornell.

Princeton (7-4-4 overall, 2-1-2 Ivy League) were confident as they welcomed Harvard (9-6, 3-2) to Lourie-Love Field on Saturday, Oct. 23. For the first 65 minutes of the match the game was a tightly contested contest, and Harvard clung to a 1-0 lead. In the next six minutes however, the Crimson scored three goals to bust the game open. They were able to hold on for a 5-2 win over the Tigers.

Harvard's Charles Altchek and Nicholas Tornaritis each had two goals before Princeton was able to get on the board in the second half.

Junior forward Darren Spicer had a great individual effort in the 74th minute. On the play, Spicer avoided two defenders and was able to drive the ball past Harvard goalie Jamie Roth.

Princeton was able to claw closer in the 81st minute when Harvard was called for a hand ball in the box. Spicer buried the ensuing penalty kick to pull the Tigers within two.

Harvard iced the game with an insurance goal in the 86th minute.

Princeton rebounded on Wednesday night as they hosted St. Peters in non-conference action. The Peakcocks provided a remedy for the Tigers' struggles, as Princeton earned a 4-2 win.

Senior midfielder Teddy van Beuren scored first in the fifth minute. The Tigers struck again in the 36th minute when junior forward Adrian Meliville redirected a crossing pass from sophomore forward Zack Schwarz.

Just before the half, St. Peters was able to pull within one on a goal by Douglas Narvaez. Princeton sealed the win early in the second half when Spicer set up sophomore defender Rachman Blake for a goal.

This past Saturday, the Tigers needed a win against Cornell to boost their chances for a league title. Once again, Princeton struck first with Spicer scoring at the 28 minute mark.

The lead only lasted until the 60th minute, when Kuda Wekwete beat senior goalie Erik White with a shot to the right corner. Princeton was unable to muster a major offensive attack for the remainder of the game, and hung on for a tie.

Princeton has Penn and Yale left on their schedule, but it now finds itself in third place. The Tigers are 2-1-2 in the league, with first-place Dartmouth at 3-0-2.