Having a goose egg in the "L" column is something that all teams want. Unfortunately for the men's soccer team, its quest for an unblemished record ended Tuesday afternoon as No. 17 Fairleigh Dickinson (3-1-2) handed Princeton (2-1-1) its first loss of the season, 3-0.
Junior forward Kyle McHugh recorded the Tigers' only shot on goal, while the team as a whole mustered just seven shots. Senior goalkeeper Justin Oppenheimer grabbed two saves before being relieved by sophomore Joe Walter in the 75th minute.
The Devils' first strike came in the 25th minute, when forward Samson Malijani received a pass from the right side, took a dribble and set up a one-on-one breakaway against Oppenheimer. Malijani converted the opportunity, placing the ball in the bottom-right corner of the goal.
FDU made it 2-0 only five minutes later when striker Donny Mayard headed in a corner kick from the left side. The Devils' netted their final goal in the 68th minute after nifty passing set up Alejandro Bedoya for a rocket into the opposite corner.
Despite the bagel on the scoreboard, the Tigers were not completely without scoring opportunities. Princeton had three corner kicks for the afternoon — in the 13th, 39th and 61st minutes — but none produced shots on target.
Junior midfielder Robbie Morgenroth overshot the goal in the 15th minute and freshman forward Ben Harms had an attempt blocked in the 38th minute for the Tigers' only two chances in the first half.
In the second half, senior defender Jame Wunsch and McHugh each booted shots over the goal, in the 58th and 59th minutes, respectively. Princeton followed with a corner opportunity in the 61st minute, and McHugh's shot on goal — the only test for the FDU keeper all afternoon — was denied in the 62nd minute.
The five-minute stretch would prove to be the Tigers' greatest opportunity for the remainder of the match, as the team would manage only two more shots — a blocked strike by McHugh in the 71st minute and a somewhat overzealous effort from sophomore midfielder Brian Brady in the 74th minute.
After the final whistle blew, Princeton saw their chances for an unbeaten season evaporate. The season is still in its early stages so the Tigers have plenty of chance left to rack up wins for the season.
FDU took five corner kicks to Princeton's three, but racked up 12 fouls to the Tigers' nine. Sophomore midfielder Jason Adams was the only player on either side to enter the referee's book, earning a yellow card in the 15th minute.
Princeton looks to rebound from the defeat next weekend at the Penn Invitational. Its first game of the weekend comes next, where it will face Duqesne. The Tigers will then play against Saint Joseph's on Sunday.
Princeton kicks off its Ivy League season on September 23, when travels to Yale.
Read More
No. 7 women’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals against No. 1 UNC
Hayk YengibaryanWith the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
With the loss, the career of senior attacker Mackenzie Blake comes to an end. Blake finished her career with a program-best 231 career goals and three first-team All-Ivy selections.
No. 3 men’s lacrosse season ends in NCAA quarterfinals after 19–18 loss to No. 5 Syracuse
Hayk YengibaryanWith the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
With the win, Syracuse advances to the final four for the first time since 2013. For the Tigers, their season ends along with the career of senior standout attacker Coulter Mackesy.
Preview: No. 3 men’s lacrosse plays No. 5 Syracuse in NCAA quarterfinals
Hayk YengibaryanShould the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.
Should the Tigers beat the Orange, they will advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2022 as they look to win their first national championship since 2001.