Pinto's OT Heroics Send Men's Soccer To Win At Dartmouth

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Malik Pinto made the most of his Ivy League debut, factoring in on all three goals as Princeton secured three points with a 3-2 win at Dartmouth in double overtime.

Pinto had two goals and an assist, netting the game-winner in the 102nd minute to send the Tigers home with a win in their first Ivy League game since November of 2019.

The Tigers had the better of the first half, but were forced to battle deep into overtime after Dartmouth rallied with two goals in the second half -- including an equalizer in the 82nd minute. In the first period of extra time, the Tigers held steady as the Big Green carried the majority of play, staving off a Dartmouth corner in the final minute of the first OT.

In the second OT, Jack Roberts came up big quickly. He stepped off his line and denied Bern Jenkins who was all alone with the game at his feet. Moments later, Princeton was off to the races and captain kevin O'Toole sent a pretty entry pass through a pair of Dartmouth defender and a charging Pinto gathered the pass and quickly fired home the winner to the far right post.

One Man. Two Goals. Three Points.

What an @IvyLeague debut for @PintoMalik!

Tigers win, 3-2, in 2OT! pic.twitter.com/H1sZjwFFu2
— Princeton Men's Soccer (@TigerMensSoccer) October 2, 2021

The win is Princeton's first in overtime since a 2-1 win at Penn in one overtime on November 3, 2018. Since then, the Tigers were 0-0-4 in overtime.

The victory also snaps a six-game winless drought against the Big Green and gives Princeton three points to open an Ivy season for the first time since 2013.

Princeton opened the scoring in the 10th minute, taking a 1-0 lead following a collective team effort on a counter attack. Malik Pinto started the scoring play by winning a loose ball just outside the offensive third and negating a Dartmouth transition attempt. Pinto thread a ball through the Big Green to James Wangsness on the right flank, and Wangsness then sent a cross towards Daniel Diaz-Bonilla whose quick shot bounced off Walker Gillespie and in for Gillespie's second goal of the season.

They Don't Ask How...

Walker Gillespie in the right place at the right time to deflect home the opener.

Tigers lead, 1-0! pic.twitter.com/6ZRYMBkNg4
— Princeton Men's Soccer (@TigerMensSoccer) October 2, 2021

Pinto followed with his first collegiate goal early in the second half to double Princeton's lead. The Tigers were again patient on attack, as Moulay Hamza Kanzi Belghiti started with a throw in from the right side which found Issa Mudashiru at the top of the attacking third. He sent a pass to Pinto who dished quickly to Diaz-Bonilla. From there, the ball found Kevin O'Toole who tapped over quickly to Pinto who sent a shot looping towards the upper right corner for a 2-0 Tigers lead.

Feeling The Flow... Working It.

Malik Pinto bangs home his first collegiate goal!

Princeton 2, Dartmouth Nil pic.twitter.com/OwcKmF6VzV
— Princeton Men's Soccer (@TigerMensSoccer) October 2, 2021

Dartmouth cut into the lead in the 66th minute, making the most of a corner kick. Ohad Yahalom got his head on Louis Weisdorf's service and knocked it into the net to give the Big Green life.

Tom Collins tied the game in the 82nd minute with a well-placed free kick. After a foul was called on Princeton just outside the penalty area, Collins lined up and bent his free kick around the wall and inside the far right post to net the equalizer with 8:18 left in regulation.

The Tigers are back on the road on Wednesday, visiting Temple for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

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