Tigers Fall to Rutgers in Season Opener, 3-1

Friday, August 30

Piscataway, N.J.

7:00 PM

Princeton University

0-1-0, 0-0-0

Rutgers

2-1-0, 0-0-0

Princeton

Rutgers

August 30, 2024 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Princeton men's soccer team fell to Rutgers 3-1 in its season opener on Friday evening at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J. With the loss, Princeton begins the season 0-1-0 and Rutgers improves to 2-1-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Rutgers came out early scoring just 18 seconds into the game. The Tigers started to build some momentum with two corner kicks and some early chances, but they could not answer before the Scarlet Knights added another in the 11th minute.

The Tigers continued to push through the remainder of the first half. In the 29th minute, a ball from Jack Jasinski found Bardia Hormozi in the box, but the shot landed in the hands of the Rutgers keeper.

With 11 minutes to go in the first half, Rutgers received a red card for a dangerous challenge on Tiger Nico Nee, forcing the Scarlet Knights to play down a man for the rest of the game.

Despite generating more chances, the 2-0 score stood after 45. The Tigers looked dangerous coming out of the half with early pressure in the box, and they kept the momentum up through the next 15.

In the 58th minute, a foul resulted in a Princeton free kick just outside the box. Jasinski served the ball in for a Giuliano Fravolini Whitchurch header that found the back of the net, bringing the Tigers within one.

With high energy on both sides, the game got heated going into the final 15. Rutgers tacked on another in the 78th minute with a penalty kick.

The Tigers pushed for the last 10 minutes of the game but could not find another, and the 3-1 score stood final.

OF NOTE
Whitchurch's goal was the first of his career.
Jasinski recorded his first assist of the season.
Khamari Hadaway registered two saves in the match.

NEXT UP
The Tigers are back in action Friday as they host New Hampshire for their home opener at Roberts Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. Princeton will be partnering with Go4TheGoal in hosting their Lace Up 4 Pediatric Cancer game. Admission is free.