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Princeton University Athletics
Rutgers Penalty Kick, Guelich's Great Save Ensure 1-1 Tie in Princeton-Rutgers Men's Soccer
September 28, 2005 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 28, 2005
Box Score
Princeton almost had its first win over Rutgers since 1994. Rutgers almost had a comeback victory to make up for a pair of recent late losses. But in the end, big plays by both teams ensured the ninth tie in one of the longest-played series in college soccer.
Rutgers' Nick Labrocca scored on a penalty kick to pull his team even with less than five minutes left in regulation, while Princeton goalie Bobby Guelich made an outstanding diving save on Joe Lyonnais attempt late in the first overtime, and the teams played to a 1-1 draw at Lourie-Love Field in the 51st meeting of the teams Wednesday night.
The Tigers (3-3-1), who extended their unbeaten streak to three, took the lead with 33 minutes left when Kyle McHugh scored a spectacular goal from well outside the 18-yard box. But the Scarlet Knights (2-6-1) then turned up the pressure late and were awarded the penalty kick when Scott Gahagan was fouled in the box with 4:45 left. Guelich guessed right on Labrocca penalty attempt, but the ball snuck into the lower right corner of the net to tie the game.
"I'm a little disappointed with our play at the end of regulation, but it was really a good effort overall," said Princeton head coach Jim Barlow. "We haven't given up a goal besides the penalty kick in three games now."
Princeton, which was playing without injured starters Adrian Melville and Robbie Morgenroth, staved off the best overtime chance for either team with 1:43 left in the first overtime. Lyonnais was alone near the right post, but Guelich dove to stop his attempt. Labrocca's attempt a few seconds later was wide. Rutgers had six shots in the first overtime, four of which were saved by Guelich, but neither team had a shot in the second 10-minute overtime. Princeton had two corner-kick attempts in the final three minutes of the game but was unable to get a good chance.
McHugh's goal came with 32 minutes left in the second half as a result of a corner kick situation. The Scarlet Knights cleared the initial chance out of the box, but the Princeton sophomore then rifled a left-footed volley from 25 yards away into the upper left corner of the net for his first goal since his freshman year of 2003.
"We've been talking a lot about scoring off our set plays and I was able to capitalize on that tonight," said McHugh. "It was tough without Adrian out there, but someone else needed to step up."
Princeton's Darren Spicer also had a chance in the final minute of regulation, but his header off a cross was wide left.
Rutgers outshot the Tigers 20-13, including 17-9 in the second half and overtime. Guelich had a career-high eight saves, all in the second half and overtime, while Rutgers' Lubos Ancin had five saves.
The Tigers had the best chance in a uneventful first half, but Alex Reison's redirect of a Ben Young cross with 20 minutes left went over the crossbar.
The Scarlet Knights are now 7-0-3 against the Tigers since the 1995 season. Rutgers' 10-game unbeaten streak in the series is the second-longest in series history behind Princeton's 11-game streak (10-0-1) between 1969-1979.