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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Stanford
Tigers Begin Men's Soccer Season With Scoreless Tie Against Stanford
September 01, 2006 | Men's Soccer
In some ways, the Princeton men's soccer team looked like a group that had been together only slightly more than a week. In other areas, the Tigers looked like an experienced bunch with plenty of new talent getting a chance to shine. The result was a 0-0 tie against Stanford, in the season opener Friday afternoon at Lourie-Love Field, in a well-played affair despite a persistent rain that fell throughout the game.
"I thought we did some nice things for only being together for a week and having some injuries," said Princeton head coach Jim Barlow. "We were solid in the back in limiting their chances, and I thought some guys really had good performances today."
After a uneventful end to regulation time, Princeton (0-0-1) had a chance midway through the first overtime, but Dan Cummins shot from in close was stuffed by Stanford goalie Brent Stewart. The Cardinal's Kyle Hency had two overtime opportunities, one late in the first period and another in the final 10 seconds of the game, but Princeton goalie Justin Oppenheimer stopped both and a final punt after the last save ended the game.
Princeton had the final good scoring opportunity in regulation in the 83rd minute, but Stewart stopped Brian Brady's attempt. Tiger freshman Devin Muntz also had a pair of chances, one in the 61st minute and again on a scrum in front of the goal early in the second overtime, but neither found the net.
Hency had maybe the best regulation opportunities for either team in the 77th minute. His header attempt off a corner kick hit the crossbar, and his shot attempt on the rebound went high of the goal and over the end line.
The Cardinal (0-2-1) outshot Princeton 11-8. Oppenheimer had six saves for the Tigers in his first career start, while Stewart had five stops for Stanford. The Cardinal had all six of their corner kick attempts in the second half.
The Tigers started a lineup that featured six players who had never started a game before, including freshmen Muntz and Ben Harms. Oppenheimer, a senior playing his first career minutes in goal, and sophomores Brad Fechter, Jamie Adams and Brian Brady also earned their first career starts.
Princeton visits Loyola Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.