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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Akron
No. 9 Akron Gets Late Goal, Defeats Men's Soccer 1-0
September 18, 2005 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 18, 2005
Box Score
Bobby Guelich saved the Princeton men's soccer team a few times Sunday afternoon against ninth-ranked Akron. But he never really had a chance at the Zips' final scoring opportunity late in the game.
Matt Tutich struck a right-footed shot from the top of the box that hit the crossbar and snuck into the net with just 2:35 left in the second half, giving the Zips a 1-0 victory over the Tigers at Lourie-Love Field on the final day of the Princeton Invitational.
Guelich, who made several big stops in the first half and had six saves overall, made a spectacular diving save on a Geir Nyheim opportunity for Akron with 23 minutes left for his only second-half save. But he had little chance at Tutich's game winner, which came after Ross McKenzie fed a pass from the left wing that eluded the Princeton defense."
"I was pleased overall with the way I played today, but it's frustrating to have it end like that," said Guelich. "I think all of us were a little tired at the end of the game after playing on back-to-back days."
"It's frustrating, but I'm a lot happier today after the game than I was yesterday [after losing to FDU 2-1]," said Princeton head coach Jim Barlow. "We play teams like these, some of the best in the country, because they'll prepare us well for league games."
Princeton (1-3) outshot Akron (6-0) 11-10 on the day, but the Tigers' best chance at a goal in the second half was just wide right when Darren Spicer's free kick was wide with 36 minutes left.
The Tigers' final chance came in a last rush in the final 30 seconds, but Ted Wolfson's attempt with 19 seconds left rolled wide right. Akron's best chance to score in the first half came in a flurry with 15 minutes left. Nyheim got an initial shot that was saved by a diving Guelich, and Brendan Murphy's rebound attempt also deflected off the Princeton goalie.
"Bobby really grew up today," said Barlow of his first-year starter in goal. "They had some great opportunities and he had some great saves."
Princeton also had a second-half chance about one minute into the half, but Kyle McHugh's shot was saved by Akron goalie Evan Bush.
The Tigers were playing their second top-10-ranked opponent in as many days after dropping that one-goal decision to No. 7 Fairleigh Dickinson Saturday. FDU tied Loyola 1-1 in Sunday's other game at the tournament.