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Princeton men's soccer defeats Rider 2-1 in physical home opener

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Caption: First-year Daniel Diaz Bonilla against Duke on September 6, 2019. Credit: Chris Baird, GoPrincetonTigers

Princeton men’s soccer (1–1 overall) made their home debut on Myslik Field at Roberts Stadium in Princeton last night, Sept. 11, against Rider (1–2 overall). Princeton came into their 2-1 victory against the Broncs holding a 15–3–3 lead in their all-time series. 

The Tigers’ offense faced a tough hit after losing Sean McSherry ’19 and Jeremy Colvin ’19 this season but still have their starter, senior goalie Jacob Schachner and eight of their starters returning for this season, four of which are All-Ivy Defenders.

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Princeton scored the first two goals of the match with first-year forward Walker Gillespie and junior midfielder Kevin O’Toole each adding a goal to the score. Gillespie’s goal was the first of his Ivy League career at Princeton. Both Tiger goals came early in the second half, making them fight to keep the lead for the remainder of the game. Rider scored their singular goal of the game on a penalty kick by junior forward Pablo Decastro.

The penalty kick was followed by a physical altercation on the field when Decastro attempted to take the ball out of the back of the goal after he made it and Schachner grabbed the ball first. Schachner was pushed to the ground, and Decastro ripped the ball out of his hands, causing the rest of the Tiger players to come to the defense of their goalie and Rider to come to the defense of Decastro. Decastro was given a yellow card by the referee.

Rider fought well in the second half, holding the Tigers down to only two goals on the board, but the Tigers continued to hang on. The Tiger victory came after an adjustment of their midfield, adding a more powerful presence in the middle of the field.

The Tigers will face Loyola University Maryland (0–4 overall) on Saturday, Sept. 14 in Baltimore at 7:00 p.m.

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