Princeton University
Lehigh
Players Mentioned
Walburn Gives Men's Soccer a Successful Season Opener
September 05, 2009 | Men's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. (9/4/09) - Junior Josh Walburn and senior Ben Harms teamed up to score the game's lone goal late in the first half, as the Princeton men's soccer team opened the 2009 season with a 1-0 win over Lehigh on Friday, Sept. 4 at Ulrich Stadium.
Walburn was also a key contributor in the Tigers impenetrable defense. Princeton did not allow a single shot on goal until the 89th minute, to clinch its first victory in a season opener since 2004.
The goal came in a first half that saw the Tigers out shoot the Mountain Hawks, 7-2. Harms held the ball at the far touchline and delivered a cross into the box, which Walburn was able to head into the net at 42:15.
The Mountain Hawks tried to find the equalizer but couldn't get anything close on net as the Tigers' defense smothered the ball at nearly every opportunity.
The Mountain Hawks only shot on goal came from just inside the 18-yard box when Adam Gazda fired a ball that made its way through traffic on the right side of the goal. Junior goalkeeper Sean Lynch crouched down and blocked the ball at the right post despite the traffic. Lehigh gave it one last effort when the ball was pinballed around inside the box but the last touch sent the ball just wide of the right post with mere seconds remaining.
Lynch finished the game with one save and his first shutout of the season. Jonathan Nydell made four stops for Lehigh, in its first loss of the season.
With the win, head coach Jim Barlow surpasses predecessor and current U.S. National Team coach Bob Bradley in the win column, with his 93rd victory.
Princeton will travel to Seton Hall on Monday, Sept. 7 for a 7 p.m., game.