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Thursday, November 21
Akron, Ohio
6:00 PM
Princeton University
12-7-0, 5-2-0
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at
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Akron
12-4-4, 7-0-1
1
2
F
Princeton
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Akron
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1
1
Tigers Drop Hard-Fought Matchup at Akron in NCAA First Round
November 21, 2024 | Men's Soccer
AKRON, OHIO – In a hard-fought, close battle, the Princeton men's soccer team fell 1-0 to the Akron Zips in the NCAA first round on Thursday night in Ohio. Princeton's exhilarating season comes to close with a final record of 12-7 and 5-2 in the Ivy League, with the program winning its first Ivy League Tournament Championship.
"It was a tough way to end a great season — Akron is one of the best teams in the country, and they played very well and created far more chances against us than anyone we've played this year. Andrew Samuels had a great game in goal and kept us in it, and it took a really good finish to beat him. The guys fought hard until the end but we couldn't find a goal today. I'm proud of the group and especially the seniors who all put so much into the season." - Head Coach Jim Barlow
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Zips began pressing early, with two corners and three shots in the first 5 minutes of action.
In the 7th minute, a shot on target from Emil Jaaskelainin forced Andrew Samuels to come up with a clutch save to keep the Zips locked out.
That would begin a busy half in goal for Samuels, as less than a minute later he made another save on a shot from Dyson Clapier. Again, in the ninth minute, Samuels would make another save to keep the game scoreless.
The Tigers were able to generate some momentum, with a shot from Ian Nunez going just wide of the goal in the 42nd minute.
With just one minute remaining, a corner kick resulted in a shot on the top center of the goal, but Samuels was able to get up and make the save to keep the score 0-0 going into the half.
Coming out of halftime, Akron continued pressing, ultimately scoring in the 54th minute with a fast ball into the bottom left of the goal by Victor Gaulmin. In the 62nd minute, the Zips almost added another, but Giuliano Fravolini Whitchurch made an incredible clearance on the goal line to keep the Akron lead at 1.
The Tigers responded with increased urgency and more chances, generating four shots including two by Jack Jasinski and one apiece from Daniel Ittycheria and Nico Nee, but none would find the back of the net.
As the clock ran out, despite continued fight from the Tigers, the 1-0 stood final to deliver Akron the win and bring their record to 12-4-4.
Of Note
"It was a tough way to end a great season — Akron is one of the best teams in the country, and they played very well and created far more chances against us than anyone we've played this year. Andrew Samuels had a great game in goal and kept us in it, and it took a really good finish to beat him. The guys fought hard until the end but we couldn't find a goal today. I'm proud of the group and especially the seniors who all put so much into the season." - Head Coach Jim Barlow
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Zips began pressing early, with two corners and three shots in the first 5 minutes of action.
In the 7th minute, a shot on target from Emil Jaaskelainin forced Andrew Samuels to come up with a clutch save to keep the Zips locked out.
That would begin a busy half in goal for Samuels, as less than a minute later he made another save on a shot from Dyson Clapier. Again, in the ninth minute, Samuels would make another save to keep the game scoreless.
The Tigers were able to generate some momentum, with a shot from Ian Nunez going just wide of the goal in the 42nd minute.
With just one minute remaining, a corner kick resulted in a shot on the top center of the goal, but Samuels was able to get up and make the save to keep the score 0-0 going into the half.
Coming out of halftime, Akron continued pressing, ultimately scoring in the 54th minute with a fast ball into the bottom left of the goal by Victor Gaulmin. In the 62nd minute, the Zips almost added another, but Giuliano Fravolini Whitchurch made an incredible clearance on the goal line to keep the Akron lead at 1.
The Tigers responded with increased urgency and more chances, generating four shots including two by Jack Jasinski and one apiece from Daniel Ittycheria and Nico Nee, but none would find the back of the net.
As the clock ran out, despite continued fight from the Tigers, the 1-0 stood final to deliver Akron the win and bring their record to 12-4-4.
Of Note
- Samuels made a career-high 9 saves in the match, answering all but one of Akron's 11 shots on goal.
Team Stats
PRINCE
AKRON
Goals
0
1
Shots
7
27
Shots on Goal
3
11
Saves
9
3
Corners
3
6
Fouls
10
6
Scoring Plays
Victor Gaulmin (5)
Assisted By: Emil Jaaskelainen , Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal
top of box to far corner
54:28
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's Soccer
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/ Men's SoccerM/D
/ Men's Soccer
GK
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