Thursday, November 18
Queens, N.Y.
5:00 PM
Princeton University
12-6-0, 7-0-0
0
at
1
St. John's
11-5-3, 5-3-2
1
2
F
Princeton
0
0
0
St. John's (NY)
1
0
1
Photo by: Ben Solomon
Men's Soccer Edged By St. John's In NCAA First Round, 1-0
November 18, 2021 | Men's Soccer
A goal from St. John's late in the first half was the difference as a late Princeton rally fell short in the first round of the NCAA Tournament and the Tigers were eliminated by the Red Storm, 1-0, at Belson Stadium in Queens.
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The Tigers finish with a 12-6-0 record this season, including a 7-0-0 record inside the Ivy League and an outright Ivy championship.
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St. John's took a 1-0 lead late in the first half when Brandon Knapp bounced a grounder inside the far post in the 43' of play. The play was relatively innocuous to start, a Red Storm throw in kicking around at the edge of Princeton's defensive third before an Atila Ashrafi pass towards the box deflected off a Princeton defender to Knapp who quickly sent his shot to the post before Jack Roberts could recover.
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Princeton worked the best chance of the first portion of the game, crafty footwork from Kevin O'Toole inside the attacking box leading to a Malik Pinto shot from close range in the 21' which Luka Gavran turned aside.
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In the 29', the Tigers turned up the defense with a tremendous defensive save from Stephen Duncan. The rookie defender was perfectly places to head away a Matt Chandler shot off a Red Storm corner, and Jack Roberts followed with a more traditional save of Einar Lye's follow-up.
After dodging disaster to start the half when a St. John's shot in the 46' clanged off the crossbar and out, the Tigers had a chance to tie in the 62', but a Malik Pinto shot slid just by the far right post.
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Five minutes later, Roberts again kept his team in the game, standing tall on a Nicolas Chateau chance from close range in the 67'.
In the final five minutes, a pair of Princeton chances to tie were denied. The first was a bicycle kick attempt from O'Toole and the Red Storm then staved off two Princeton corner kicks.
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The Tigers finish with a 12-6-0 record this season, including a 7-0-0 record inside the Ivy League and an outright Ivy championship.
Â
St. John's took a 1-0 lead late in the first half when Brandon Knapp bounced a grounder inside the far post in the 43' of play. The play was relatively innocuous to start, a Red Storm throw in kicking around at the edge of Princeton's defensive third before an Atila Ashrafi pass towards the box deflected off a Princeton defender to Knapp who quickly sent his shot to the post before Jack Roberts could recover.
Â
Princeton worked the best chance of the first portion of the game, crafty footwork from Kevin O'Toole inside the attacking box leading to a Malik Pinto shot from close range in the 21' which Luka Gavran turned aside.
Â
In the 29', the Tigers turned up the defense with a tremendous defensive save from Stephen Duncan. The rookie defender was perfectly places to head away a Matt Chandler shot off a Red Storm corner, and Jack Roberts followed with a more traditional save of Einar Lye's follow-up.
ÂThe Tigers Run On Duncan!
— Princeton Men's Soccer (@TigerMensSoccer) November 18, 2021
Right place, right time for Stephen Duncan for this defensive save!@NCAASoccer
??: https://t.co/rXTwtBhla0 pic.twitter.com/i4J2B0snwL
After dodging disaster to start the half when a St. John's shot in the 46' clanged off the crossbar and out, the Tigers had a chance to tie in the 62', but a Malik Pinto shot slid just by the far right post.
Â
Five minutes later, Roberts again kept his team in the game, standing tall on a Nicolas Chateau chance from close range in the 67'.
In the final five minutes, a pair of Princeton chances to tie were denied. The first was a bicycle kick attempt from O'Toole and the Red Storm then staved off two Princeton corner kicks.
Team Stats
PRI
SJU
Goals
0
1
Shots
6
12
Shots on Goal
2
4
Saves
2
2
Corners
4
9
Fouls
12
12
Scoring Plays
Brandon Knapp (5)
Assisted By: Atila Ashrafi
GOAL by SJU Knapp, Brandon Assist by Ashrafi, Atila.
42:55
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
3
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
mid
Shots
2
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's SoccerM/F
/ Men's SoccerM
/ Men's Soccer
GK
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