Staff Picks: Men’s Soccer vs. Hofstra

Coming off a hard-fought 2–1 win over Yale (2–6–1 overall, 0–1–1 Ivy League), Princeton men’s soccer (6–2–2, 1–1) will step away from conference play when it travels to Hempstead, N.Y. to take on Hofstra (7–2–2, 2–1–2 Coastal Athletic Association) on Tuesday night. Junior defender Roka Tsunehara pushed the Tigers past the Bulldogs with a goal and an assist, scoring the game-winning penalty in the 52nd minute to give Princeton its first Ivy League victory of the season. 

The Pride have put together a strong start of their own, winning seven of their 11 matches, but enter Tuesday looking to rebound from a 3–0 home loss to Stony Brook. Before that defeat, Hofstra had won three straight games, including a 4–1 victory over Northeastern and back-to-back 2–0 wins over Binghamton and Loyola Maryland. Princeton will also have revenge on its mind. In the first-ever meeting between the programs last season, Hofstra escaped Roberts Stadium with a 1–0 win after holding the Tigers without a shot on goal. 

Princeton 2, Hofstra 0 – Matthew Yi, Associate Sports Editor 

After suffering a 1–0 loss to Hofstra at home last season, Princeton will now have a chance to return the favor Tuesday night in Hempstead. The Tigers enter their final nonconference matchup with momentum after a 2–1 win over Yale, in a game in which they responded quickly after conceding first and controlled much of the second half.

Roka Tsunehara was at the center of that victory, assisting Princeton’s opening goal before converting the game-winning penalty kick. Look for him to continue to stay active and be at the heart of the offense and defense. With the Tigers creating seven shots on goal against Yale and the back line preventing the Bulldogs from putting a shot on target after the 67th minute, Princeton now appears to be finding its form on both ends of the field.

I predict Princeton will strike once in each half, keeping the Pride off the scoresheet, and getting its revenge with a 2–0 win.

Princeton 1, Hofstra 0 – Emily Ganter, Provisional Sports Writer

Coming off a hard-fought victory against Yale on Saturday, Princeton has the confidence they need to find success against the Hofstra Pride in Hempstead on Tuesday night. If they can control the field from the start and play as aggressively and physically as they did against Yale, this will be a good watch for us — and a good victory for the Tigers.

Upperclassmen Bardia Hormozi and Roka Tsunehara have been the key facilitators of Princeton’s offense so far this season, and the Tigers will be looking for them to take the lead against the Pride. Tsunehara had a particularly strong game against Yale, recording a goal and an assist while holding down Princeton’s defense. But don’t be surprised to see some younger players make an impact on Tuesday night — first-year Noah Hammerschmidt and sophomore Jackson Martin have had great starts to their seasons. Expect the Tigers to share the ball and involve the entire field in their offense, building on the momentum and chemistry they showed in Saturday’s victory.

I predict Princeton to beat Hofstra in Hempstead, scoring once in the second half.

Princeton 1, Hofstra 1 – Juha Im, Provisional Sports Writer

Both the Tigers and the Pride are comfortable playing to a draw. Princeton tied Villanova 1–1 in its opener and played a 0–0 stalemate with Seton Hall. Hofstra has a 1–1 draw with Stony Brook and a 1–1 draw with Monmouth on its resume too. Close games are also the norm for these teams. Princeton's loss to Dartmouth came on a goal in the 84th minute, and Hofstra lost to Vermont on a goal in the final minute. 

For Princeton, watch senior captain Liam Beckwith, who scored the equalizer against Yale and has a record of delivering in big games. For Hofstra, watch Bastian Carlman, a 6-foot-4 junior forward, the leading goalscorer for the Pride so far.

I think it’ll be close to a coin flip. Hofstra has the home field and last year’s win, while Princeton is coming off a win and has played well on the road. I’m calling it a 1–1 draw. 

Matthew Yi is an associate Sports editor for the ‘Prince.’

Emily Ganter is a Provisional Sports Writer for the ‘Prince.’

Juha Im is a Provisional Sports Writer for the ‘Prince.’

Please send corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.