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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Harvard
Harvard Hangs On For 2-1 Win Over Princeton in Men's Soccer
October 21, 2006 | Men's Soccer
Harvard's Andre Akpan scored his Ivy League leading ninth goal of the season early in the second half and the Crimson held off a Princeton comeback after that on the way to a 2-1 victory over the Tigers in a men's soccer game played at Lourie-Love Field Saturday afternoon.
Princeton's Devin Muntz scored on a long shot from the top of the box just three minutes after Akpan's goal to make it 2-1, but the Tigers (6-6-3, 1-3-1 Ivy) couldn't get the equalizer. Kyle McHugh had the best chances for Princeton in the second half, but a good chance on a header went wide with 22 minutes left and goalie Adam Hahn had saves on two other attempts.
Akpan's goal came at 50:41 thanks to a long free kick from behind midfield. John Stamatis' kick found its way into the box, where Charles Altchek deflected it toward the ground and Akpan cleaned it up.
Princeton goalie Justin Oppenheimer, who came into the game in relief of starter Joe Walter early in the second half, had a diving save on Akpan in the second half to keep his team within striking distance.
Harvard (11-4-0, 4-1 Ivy), which maintained at least a share of first place in the league standings, won its sixth straight game. The Crimson also extended its unbeaten streak against Princeton to four.
The Crimson had only two shots in the first half but scored on their second one, in the 33rd minute, to take a 1-0 lead. Kwaku Nyamekye looped a pass into the box from 25 yards away, and Matt Hoff was there to chip the pass over Walter for a Harvard goal. The goal was Hoff's fourth of the season.
Harvard outshot the Tigers 11-9 overall for the game, including 9-6 in the second half. Walter and Oppenheimer combined for four saves for Princeton.
The Tigers play at Cornell next Saturday night.