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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Harvard
No. 11 Harvard Comes From Behind, Defeats Princeton Men's Soccer 3-2
October 20, 2007 | Men's Soccer
Princeton could not withstand a second-half surge from No. 11 Harvard, one that resulted in goals in a six-minute span from Andre Akpan and Kwaku Nyamekye as the Crimson came from behind to win 3-2 in an Ivy League men's soccer game played at Ohiri Field Saturday afternoon.
The Tigers (3-8-2, 1-2 Ivy) had a surge of their own late in the first half, getting a pair of goals in a seven-minute span to take a 2-1 lead into halftime. But the Crimson (9-2-2, 2-1 Ivy) would respond with 17 second-half shots, tying the game on Akpan's goal with 17 minutes left and taking the lead on Nyamekye's score with 11 minutes remaining.
"I thought we controlled the play well in the first half, but Harvard really upped their level in the second half," said Princeton head coach Jim Barlow. "Give them credit for really being dangerous in just about every area in the second half."
McHugh's goal for Princeton that tied the game in the 31st minute was the result of a nice feed from sophomore Devin Muntz. Muntz sent a feed just inside the box on the left-hand side, and McHugh hit a shot into the right corner of the net to tie the game.
The Tigers would then take advantage of a poor clear by Harvard to take the lead in the 38th minute. Freshman Brandon Busch was the beneficiary, and his second goal of the season gave Princeton the lead at halftime.
After a few missed chances early in the half, Akpan finally converted for Harvard in the 73rd minute. Nyamekye, who just a few moments earlier had to leave the game briefly due to injury, came back on the field and sent a ball into the box, where Akpan redirected the ball and tied the game.
John Stamatis would then send a nice pass from just outside the box to Nyamekye in the 79th minute, and he chipped the pass quickly into the right corner of the net for the game winner.
Princeton goalie Joe Walter, who made several diving stops to help keep Princeton ahead for much of the second half, had nine saves on those 25 Harvard shots. Walter was making his first start since a game at Seton Hall Sept. 17.
"I thought Joe was outstanding today," said Barlow. "He really raised his game in a big way."
Princeton returns home to Powers Field next Saturday for a 4 p.m. match against Cornell. The game is the second half of a women's/men's doubleheader against the Big Red.