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Princeton University
Bucknell
Players Mentioned
Men's Soccer Falls 1-0 to Bucknell in NCAA First Round
November 20, 2009 | Men's Soccer
PRINCETON, N.J. (11/19/09) - A goal by Bucknell's Brendan Burgdorf in the 69th minute made the difference, as the Princeton men's soccer team fell to Bucknell, 1-0, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Thursday, Nov. 19 at Myslik Field at Roberts Stadium.
Princeton had double the shots in the game, taking 22 to Bucknell's 11, ending a six-game unbeaten streak. Bucknell's sophomore goalkeeper Tommy Caso had six saves, while Princeton junior keeper Sean Lynch made two stops.
The teams played just over 63 minutes of scoreless soccer before a lightning delay postponed the game for 30 minutes. Play resumed at 8:50 p.m., and Burgdorf tallied the game winner about six minutes later.
Teammate Conor O'Brien played a ball down the far flank to Burgdorf who was inside the 18-yard box and ripped a shot into the right corner at 69:41.
The teams traded shots in the opening minutes, both went wide of the net but were solid chances none the less. O'Brien had the first shot on goal just under nine minutes in, when he lofted a set piece right in on goal. The ball got loose but Lynch stepped out to grab the ball and hung on to it. Senior Devin Muntz used a free kick of his own at 16:43 to test the opponent's keeper, but Caso tipped the ball over the cross bar and out for a corner kick.
Walburn had two chances, the first a shot from 22 yards out in the 27th minute and had another shot go just wide off a long throw Mark Linnville throw in in the 36th minute.
Freshman Matt Sanner opened the second frame with what could arguably be the best chance of the game. He found himself all alone inside the six-yard box with an open shot, but the ball skimmed just wide left of the net.
Burgdorf had a breakaway off a midfield turnover in the 59th minute but Lynch came out of the box and deflected the ball off his hand and out to the right.
Senior Ben Harms, junior Max Hare and Sanner teamed up in the box to try to get one past Caso, but the final shot by Sanner was blocked by a defender.
O'Brien tested Lynch in the 59th minute and Walburn delivered a long hard shot to Caso less than a minute later.
Three minutes later the lightning delay was called.
Following Bucknell's goal, Princeton had eight shots while not allowing Bucknell a single opportunity. The Tigers' best chance of those eight was in the 74th minute, when Walburn took a set piece from 30 yards out that went right in on goal and was blasted into the palms of Caso.
Princeton ends its season with a 9-6-3 overall record, making the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001 and eighth time overall.
Bucknell will advance to the second round with a 17-3 mark and will face No. 2 seed Virginia on Sunday, Nov. 21 at 1 p.m.