Princeton University
Loyola
Men's Soccer Uses Early Lead To Top Loyola, 3-2
September 03, 2004 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 3, 2004
Box Score
Baltimore, Md. - Darren Spicer scored two goals, including the game-winner in the 81st minute, to lead the Princeton men's soccer team past Loyola 3-2 in the season opener for both schools at Alumnae Field. The Tigers scored the first two goals of the game and led 2-1 at the half before the Greyhounds answered with back-to-back goals. Spicer opened with a goal off a penalty kick in the fourth minute, slipping his shot past Loyola keeper Greg Peters into the bottom left corner of the posts. The Tigers doubled their lead when Adrian Melville scored unassisted on a breakaway at 27:52. Despite Princeton's aggressive defense, Loyola managed one goal before the break as Jay Joyce knocked in a cross from Rade Kokovic. The Tigers had 11 first-half fouls to just four by the Greyhounds. The teams were even at three corner kicks apiece, and Loyola had a one-shot lead over Princeton, 9-8. The Greyhounds tied the game eight minutes into the second half when Kevin Nash redirected John Dalziel's shot and converted. With the game knotted 2-2, it looked as if the Princeton-Loyola matchup would be a draw for the fifth straight year. After 24 minutes of scoreless soccer, Ryan Rich, who is already in the Princeton record book for career assists, set up Spicer in front of the cage for the game-winning header. The Princeton defense shut out Loyola for the final 9:13 and walked away with a solid 3-2 season-opening win. Erik White had two saves in 90 minutes in goal for Princeton, while Loyola's Peters made five saves and allowed three goals. The teams finished tied at 14 shots apiece but the Greyhounds led in corner kicks, 10-4. Princeton (1-0) returns to action on Sept. 10 at Akron (5 p.m.) before its home-opener against Drexel on Sept. 14 (7 p.m.).