Kelley's Early Goal Hands Princeton Road Win Over Fordham

Tuesday, October 22

New York, N.Y.

7:00 PM

Princeton University

7-5-0, 3-1-0

Fordham

6-4-4, 3-1-2

Princeton

Fordham

Kelley's Early Goal Hands Princeton Road Win Over Fordham

October 22, 2024 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

BRONX, N.Y. – Kevin Kelley's sixth-minute goal proved to be the difference-maker as the Princeton men's soccer team defeated Fordham on Tuesday night in the Bronx. With the win, Princeton improves to 7-5 on the season, remaining 3-1 in Ivy play, while Fordham falls to 6-4-4 and remains 3-1-2 in the Atlantic 10.

"We got off to a really good start to the game. The goal might have had the most buildup, most passes, of any one for us this season. Liam did really well to get it up to Kevin with some time, and Kevin did the rest with a really good finish. Those first 15 minutes were really good for us and we thought we could even push for the second goal, but Fordham turned up their energy in the game and made the rest of it more even. It was those first 15 minutes, starting off really well, that won the game for us." - Assistant Coach Steve Totten

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Tigers got on the board early with Kelley launching a ball from Liam Beckwith into the upper right corner of the net from distance, scoring with Princeton's first shot of the game in the sixth minute.

It looked like Fordham would get the chance to answer in the 21st minute, but the shot deflected off the hands of Tiger keeper Will Watson.

Princeton continued to control possession, registering five more shots throughout the first half.

Despite the momentum, the Tigers would not add another before halftime, with the 1-0 score standing.

Coming out of the half, the game intensified with Princeton countering on several dangerous Fordham attacks.

In the 53rd minute, a shot by the Rams' Daniel D'Ippolito forced another Watson save to keep Fordham at bay.

Back on offense, Ian Nunez sent a free kick from just outside the box ricocheting off the crossbar in the 64th minute. Again looking like they would double the lead, the ball found the back of the net off a corner kick, but it was called off due to a foul in the box.

Fordham ramped up the offensive pressure, registering two corners and 10 shots in the second half.

Still, as the clock ticked down, Watson and the Tiger back line headed by Jack Jasinski and Giuliano Fravolini Whitchurch were able to hold them off, allowing the 1-0 Tiger victory stand final.

OF NOTE

Kelley's goal was his third of the season.
Watson registered two saves in the contest, earning the shutout in his first game this season.
Shots were even between the two sides, with 11 apiece for the Tigers and the Rams.

UP NEXT
Princeton will return home to take on Yale in an Ivy League matchup on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. in Roberts Stadium. Saturday will also mark Princeton Soccer Alumni Day, as Princeton men's and women's soccer programs will welcome and celebrate their former Tigers.