Friday, September 5
Myslik Field at Roberts Stadium
7:00 PM
Princeton University
1-0-0, 0-0-0
3
vs
1
Rutgers
3-1-1, 0-0-0
1
2
F
Rutgers
0
1
1
Princeton
2
1
3
Photo by: Sideline Photos, LLC
Tigers Down Undefeated Rutgers 3-1 in Season Opener
September 05, 2025 | Men's Soccer
PRINCETON, N.J. – With three Tigers scoring, including Jackson Martin opening his collegiate account, the Princeton men's soccer team opened the 2025 season with a 3-1 home win over New Jersey rival Rutgers.
With the win, Princeton begins the season 1-0-0, while the previously undefeated Rutgers squad falls to 3-1-1.
"It was great to start off with a win against a very good Rutgers team. It's always tough to handle the fitness challenges of the first game, and when our starters started to tire, a lot of guys came off the bench and made major contributions. It was a good team win today." - Head Coach Jim Barlow
The game kicked off with pace and energy from both the Tigers and the Scarlet Knights, with Princeton starting to press while earning two corner kicks in the first nine minutes. Rutgers countered with a press of their own, taking three shots and forcing a save from Tiger keeper Andrew Samuels.
As the intensity of the game continued, the Tigers kept knocking on the door as they worked up the field and won two corner kicks. With a ball sent in by Jack Jasinski, Sam Vigilante kicked the ball towards the net for Kevin Kelley to score with the Tigers' first goal of the season (37').
With the Tigers up 1-0, Jasinski doubled the lead just minutes later, picking up a rebounded ball from Ben Manfroy's blocked shot and sending it into the lower left of the net.
Coming out of the half, Princeton was called on defensively as Rutgers urgently fought for a goal. In the 58th minute, the Scarlet Knights would find one off a corner.
Regrouping and upping the pressure, the Tigers would add another goal in the 78th minute with a perfectly placed ball from Roka Tsunehara finding the foot of freshman Jackson Martin. On a breakaway run, Martin confidently buried the shot in the net, scoring in his first collegiate game to put the Tigers up 3-1.
The Tigers continued to play sharp to close out the match, with the clock expiring in a 3-1 Tiger victory to open the season in Roberts.
Of Note
Up Next
The Tigers will be back in action on Wednesday, Sept. 10* as they host Hofstra for a midweek contest at home. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Roberts stadium.
*Schedule change from original date of Tues. Sept. 9.
With the win, Princeton begins the season 1-0-0, while the previously undefeated Rutgers squad falls to 3-1-1.
"It was great to start off with a win against a very good Rutgers team. It's always tough to handle the fitness challenges of the first game, and when our starters started to tire, a lot of guys came off the bench and made major contributions. It was a good team win today." - Head Coach Jim Barlow
The game kicked off with pace and energy from both the Tigers and the Scarlet Knights, with Princeton starting to press while earning two corner kicks in the first nine minutes. Rutgers countered with a press of their own, taking three shots and forcing a save from Tiger keeper Andrew Samuels.
As the intensity of the game continued, the Tigers kept knocking on the door as they worked up the field and won two corner kicks. With a ball sent in by Jack Jasinski, Sam Vigilante kicked the ball towards the net for Kevin Kelley to score with the Tigers' first goal of the season (37').
With the Tigers up 1-0, Jasinski doubled the lead just minutes later, picking up a rebounded ball from Ben Manfroy's blocked shot and sending it into the lower left of the net.
Coming out of the half, Princeton was called on defensively as Rutgers urgently fought for a goal. In the 58th minute, the Scarlet Knights would find one off a corner.
Regrouping and upping the pressure, the Tigers would add another goal in the 78th minute with a perfectly placed ball from Roka Tsunehara finding the foot of freshman Jackson Martin. On a breakaway run, Martin confidently buried the shot in the net, scoring in his first collegiate game to put the Tigers up 3-1.
The Tigers continued to play sharp to close out the match, with the clock expiring in a 3-1 Tiger victory to open the season in Roberts.
Of Note
- Jasinski tallied three points on the day, scoring a solo shot and tallying an assist.
- Jackson Martin's goal was his first of his career.
- Kevin Kelley's goal was Princeton's first of the season.
- Samuels took the win in goal for the Tigers, recording four saves in the match.
- The loss was the Scarlet Knights' first of the year.
Up Next
The Tigers will be back in action on Wednesday, Sept. 10* as they host Hofstra for a midweek contest at home. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Roberts stadium.
*Schedule change from original date of Tues. Sept. 9.
Team Stats
RUT
PRI
Goals
1
3
Shots
12
13
Shots on Goal
5
7
Saves
4
4
Corners
6
7
Fouls
7
14
Scoring Plays
Kevin Kelley (1)
Assisted By: Sam Vigilante , Jack Jasinski
GOAL by PRI Kelley, Kevin Assist by Vigilante, Sam and Jasinski, Jack.
36:34
Jack Jasinski (1)
GOAL by PRI Jasinski, Jack.
41:33
Camron Boumsong (1)
Assisted By: Nick Collins
GOAL by RUT Boumsong, Camron Assist by Collins, Nick.
58:39
Jackson Martin (1)
Assisted By: Roka Tsunehara
GOAL by PRI Martin, Jackson Assist by Tsunehara, Roka.
77:41
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
1
Shots
4
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
M/D
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's SoccerF
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's SoccerD
/ Men's Soccer
M
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