On an overcast night at Myslik Field, Princeton men’s soccer (1–1 overall, 0–0 Ivy League) fell to the Hofstra Pride (3–2 overall, 1–0 Coastal Athletic Association) 1–0.
A feisty game, the teams committed a combined 33 fouls with neither getting a grip on the game. The only shot on goal between the two sides was Hofstra’s winning penalty kick, earned from a foul committed by the Tigers in the 63rd minute.
“I think it looked like we weren’t really prepared,” junior goalkeeper Andrew Samuels told The Daily Princetonian postgame. “If we continue to play at the level that we played today, we’re not going to win games. I think it’s a wakeup call that we need to get it together and really come up with a lot more tenacity and aggressiveness on Saturday.”
Head Coach Jim Barlow told the ‘Prince’ that the team went into the game knowing they had to deal with Hofstra’s slow pace of game, counter-attacking mindset, and tenacity. Ultimately, however, they could not overcome the direct playing style, he said.
“[I am] disappointed that we weren’t able to find a way to deal with it better,” Barlow said.
The Tigers dominated possession for the first 10 minutes but could not capitalize on it. Hofstra played a direct game, forcing corners, long throw-ins, and free kicks at every opportunity.
The only chance of the half for the Tigers came from a glancing header by senior midfielder Sam Vigilante off a cross by senior forward Daniel Ittycheria. Princeton saw two other corners with some slight chances, but nothing materialized and both teams went into the half in a tactical stalemate.
“[At halftime] we said that we’ve got to play with a little more urgency and play into our style, not to fall into their traps,” Samuels explained to the ‘Prince.’ “Ultimately, we didn’t make enough adjustments, and I don’t think that’s on any individual, it’s a collective.”
With both teams eager to leave their mark on the game, the Tigers and the Pride came out swinging. Shortly into the second period, each team racked up a number of fouls, including a yellow card on Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall following some choice words for the referee.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, however, the deadlock was broken when first-year midfielder Benjamin Manfroy conceded a foul on the edge of the penalty box. On the ensuing kick, Samuels dove correctly to his bottom left corner, but the ball slipped just beyond him and into the side netting.
Only once down did the Orange and Black begin to show more fight, with several more chances going their way in the second half. Nevertheless, despite their five shots in the second half, they were not able to convert any of them on target and ended the game bitter and disappointed.
“It’s a new season and this is a learning lesson,” Samuels told the ‘Prince.’ “It’s really a wakeup call.”
Princeton will have the opportunity to right the ship and get above the .500 mark once again on Saturday, Sept. 13 when they face Villanova away in Philadelphia at 1 p.m. for the first road game of the season.
“Villanova is gonna be a different type of game,” Samuels said. “Today we played down to their level, but we’ve got to know our identity and I think that we’re still figuring that out. We can beat any team and I really believe that, so we really got to put this behind us tomorrow and attack the next one.”
Alex Beverton-Smith is a head Sports editor for the ‘Prince.’
Lily Pampolina is an associate Sports editor and an assistant Audience editor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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