For the second time in four days, No. 16 men’s soccer found the back of the net twice while keeping its opponent off the scoreboard.
Sophomore forward Jackson Martin scored his first goal of the season, first-year forward Julien Lacher added the first goal of his collegiate career, and senior goalkeeper Andrew Samuels recorded his third consecutive shutout as Princeton (3–0–1 overall, 0–0–0 Ivy League) defeated Massachusetts (2–2–1, 0–0–0 Atlantic 10) 2–0 on Monday evening in Amherst.
The victory extended Princeton’s unbeaten start to four matches and followed a 2–0 home win over James Madison three days earlier.
Unlike against the Dukes, when Princeton spent much of the opening half absorbing pressure before finding both of its goals after halftime, the Tigers struck first against the Minutemen.
The opening stages were relatively even, although UMass generated more of the early attacking pressure. After senior forward Kevin Kelley recorded the first shot of the match less than two minutes in, the Minutemen began to push forward.
Princeton’s first major opportunity came in the 16th minute. Senior forward Bardia Hormozi fired a low effort toward the center of the net, forcing the UMass goalkeeper into his first save of the match.
Twelve minutes later, Hormozi helped create the breakthrough.
Working into space on the attacking end, Hormozi delivered a cross toward Martin, who redirected the ball past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net in the 28th minute. The finish gave Martin his first goal of the season and Hormozi his first assist of the afternoon.
UMass responded by increasing its pressure over the remainder of the half. The Minutemen generated nine first-half shots compared to just three for Princeton and earned four corner kicks. Samuels, however, denied the lone UMass attempt that reached his goal during the opening 45 minutes.
However, the complexion of the match shifted just seconds before halftime.
UMass defender Taylon Gayle, who had already been booked in the 12th minute, received a red card at 44:55, leaving the Minutemen to play the entirety of the second half with 10 men.
Princeton immediately took advantage of the extra player.
The Tigers began the second half on the front foot, with Hormozi testing the UMass goalkeeper less than two minutes after the restart. Princeton continued to pile on pressure over the next 10 minutes before finally doubling its advantage.
In the 58th minute, junior defender Roka Tsunehara advanced down the right side and found Lacher inside the attacking area. The first-year threaded his effort through the UMass defense and into the back of the net, giving Princeton a 2–0 lead and securing the first goal of Lacher’s collegiate career. Tsunehara picked up his first assist of the season on the play.
Princeton nearly added a third less than two minutes later when Hormozi’s effort struck the left post.
By the final whistle, Princeton had completely reversed the shooting disparity from the opening half. After being outshot 9–3 before halftime, the Tigers held a 16–4 advantage in second-half attempts and finished with 19 shots to the Minutemen’s 13. Hormozi alone accounted for eight Princeton attempts.
Through four matches, Samuels and the Princeton back line have now kept three consecutive opponents off the scoresheet.
The 2–0 result continued Princeton’s unbeaten opening stretch and sent the Tigers into the remainder of their road trip with momentum on both ends of the field.
Princeton will continue its four-game road stretch Saturday when it travels to UAlbany (3–1, 0–0 America East Conference). Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Matthew Yi is an associate Sports editor for the ‘Prince.’
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
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