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Princeton University Athletics
Princeton University
Lehigh
Players Mentioned
Lehigh Spoils Men's Soccer Opener at Myslik Field at Roberts Stadium
September 05, 2008 | Men's Soccer
PRINCETON, N.J. ? The Princeton University men's soccer team had its inaugural game at Myslik Field at Roberts Stadium spoiled by Lehigh University, in a 2-1 loss before a crowd of over 600 fans. Sophomore Brandon Busch picked up the first Princeton goal of the season, an unassisted tally, in the 88th minute.
Busch had his first chance of the game come 10 minutes into the contest when he took a corner kick on the far side. The ball bent in towards the goal, but goalkeeper Jonathan Nydell pushed the ball past the far post for another Princeton corner kick.
Princeton goalkeeper Joe Walter was tested twice in the first 16 minutes, including one from point blank range, before a Tiger defender made a team save on a shot off a corner kick.
The Tigers answered back three minutes later with chances by junior Ben Harms and Busch. Harm's shot bounced off a defender's cleat and Busch tried to pick up the deflection but Nydell grabbed the ball in the air to prevent the shot on goal.
The Tigers started to gain some offensive momentum in the second half, doubling its shots from the first half, but it was the Mountain Hawks that struck first.
Lehigh broke the stalemate at 52:54 with a header from Jim Taranto. Mark Dangleis had the ball on the left side about 20 yards from the goal when he sent a cross into the box to Taranto, who headed the ball in just inside the left post.
Ten minutes later, Princeton had one of its best chances of the half, when Harms settled a ball just outside the 18-yard box and sent it across the field to the corner of the goal box to senior Brad Fechter. Fechter used his head to send the ball towards the goal but it bounced just out front of the line and went wide of the goal post.
The Tigers came up with a series of chances in hopes of finding the equalizer with just under 14 minutes to play. Freshman Antoine Hoppenot and sophomore Teddy Schneider each had shots go wide, while Fechter had one scooped up by Nydell.
Lehigh was able to take a two-goal lead at 83:11 when Kyle Evans and Taranto teamed up in the attacking third. Taranto deked his defender and fed the ball to Evans, on his left, and Evans shot around his defender and into the back of the net.
Busch cut the lead back to one at 87:42 when he found a deflection and an open net. As Nydell came off the line to stop a shot, the ball ricocheted out onto the left side where Busch was all alone. He sprinted up to the ball and knocked it past Lehigh defender Matthew McNeil who tried to take the place of keeper Nydell.
With just 1:20 remaining in regulation, Princeton nearly knotted the score when a header had fans on their feet, but the ball skimmed just wide of the near post.
Lehigh had a 20-17 advantage in shots, with Nydell making three saves and Walter picking up five. Corner kicks were even at eight apiece.
Lehigh improves to 3-0 on the season, while Princeton is now 0-1.
Princeton will host American on Friday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m., and Seton Hall on Sunday, Sept. 14 at 2:30 p.m., in the Princeton Invitational at Myslik Field at Roberts Stadium.