Men’s soccer falls 1–0 to Dartmouth, Ivy League shutout streak is brought to an end

Last Saturday in Hanover, N.H., Princeton men’s soccer (5–2–2 overall, 0–1–0 Ivy League) lost 1–0 to the Dartmouth Big Green (3–3–2, 1–0–0). The game was scoreless until a late breakthrough for the Big Green in the 84th minute that gave them their singular goal.

Last year, the Tigers went undefeated in their conference and didn’t allow a single regular season goal from another Ivy League team. In their first conference game of the season, the Tigers hoped to maintain their conference shutout streak, but Dartmouth found an opportunity and seized it. 

In the first five minutes of the match, both teams had early shots that passed over their respective goals. Princeton kept on the attack and earned the only corner kick in the first half, but weren’t able to keep possession from it. 

The ball was heavily contested the entire first half with neither team able to lead a strong attack. In the 29th minute, the Tigers made four substitutions mostly focused on refreshing their midfield including bringing in one of Princeton’s captains, senior midfielder Liam Beckwith.

In the 34th minute, sophomore Giacomo Gabrielli took a convincing shot but sent it wide of the goal. Simultaneously, Princeton received the first yellow card of the game on junior midfielder Kristian Kelley. Throughout the first half, the Tigers received six fouls while the Big Green only received two.

The first half had few shots with Princeton taking four and Dartmouth taking two, and neither team had a shot on target. The Tigers focused the majority of their shots from the right corner of the goalie box, but would spread out more by the second half.

Similar to last week’s 0–0 stalemate against Seton Hall, by halftime, the Tigers and Big Green had yet to score.

Entering the second half, Dartmouth and Princeton each elected to keep their goalkeepers, with the senior captain Andrew Samuels guarding the net for the Tigers.

Each team fought for control of the ball with Princeton slowing down the pace whenever possible in order to orient themselves for an aligned attack, but the Big Green’s defense continued to hold them back. 

Five minutes into the second half, first-year midfielder Noah Hammerschmidt shot a high arc on target, but it was saved by the Big Green’s goalkeeper TJ Jeffreys. 

The teams went back and forth for a few minutes, until Dartmouth was awarded a free kick that rapidly sent them on the attack. Dartmouth’s forward Will Lulka shot to the bottom left corner of Princeton’s goal, but Samuels was able to scoop the ball up and make the save.

The Tigers and the Big Green continued to fight for control, but neither team was able to sustain a long attack. 

The tide turned by the 75th minute when Dartmouth went on attack and got four shots off within minutes. Two were on target and saved by Samuels, but the Tigers weren’t able to keep the ball away from the Big Green for long.

Once Princeton was able to get control of the ball and send it back across the field, Dartmouth earned a throw-in. From near midfield, the ball was lobbed onto the pitch and passed a few times before being sent all the way down to Princeton’s goal area.

Samuels ran up to receive the ball, but was not able to connect with it. Dartmouth’s junior striker Eidur Baldvinsson sprinted to the ball and was able to tap it into the empty goal. 

Princeton’s Ivy Conference shutout streak had been brought to an end and in the very last minutes of the game.

As the game continued, the Tigers attempted to seize control but the Big Green were able to get another breakaway and shoot past Samuels. The ball bounced off of the top bar and landed just in front of the goal line before being knocked away.

After the final whistle blew, Dartmouth was issued a yellow card, but Princeton was left with the upset.

In the end, Princeton received the majority of fouls with 15 versus Dartmouth’s eight. The Tigers had a total of 11 shots. Five were on target, but all five were saved by Jeffreys.

Princeton Athletics did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Princeton will be playing next Saturday, Oct. 3 against Yale at home on Myslik Field at Roberts Stadium. The match will be on Hispanic Heritage Night and will kick off at 4 p.m.

Brooklyn Fraser is a Sports contributor for the ‘Prince.’

Please send any corrections to corrections@dailyprincetonian.com.