Vilet, Samuels Lead #16 Tigers to 1-0 Road Win Over UAlbany

Saturday, September 12

Albany, NY

6:00 PM

Princeton University

4-0-1, 0-0-0

Albany

3-2-0, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Princeton	1	0	1
UAlbany	0	0	0

Photo by: Sideline Photos, LLC

Vilet, Samuels Lead #16 Tigers to 1-0 Road Win Over UAlbany

September 12, 2026 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

ALBANY, N.Y. – Extending its unbeaten record to 4-0-1, the #16 Princeton men's soccer team downed UAlbany, 1-0, in a defensive showdown in upstate New York on Saturday night.

A stunning header by Tyler Vilet in the 33rd minute, his first career goal, proved the difference in the contest. Roka Tsunehara assisted for his third of the year.

The result marks a fourth-consecutive shutout for Tiger keeper Andrew Samuels, who made six saves in net - including one on a Great Dane penalty.

With the win, Princeton improves to 4-0-1 and 2-0 on the road, while UAlbany falls to 3-2.

How It Happened
The first 10 minutes were a back-and-forth battle as both sides settled into the game, establishing a quick pace early.

The first chance of the game came in the 11th minute with a shot by the Great Danes, but it went high. Continuing to press, Albany created a few good chances as they pushed the tempo and controlled possession of the ball, but they could not get a solid shot off.

On the counter, the best chance yet for the Tigers came in a crowded Albany box as multiple Tigers tried to jab it home, but Great Dane keeper Alex Genz was able to collect.

Sending it again the other way in the 28th minute, Albany's Gabriel Saevarsson drew a foul in the box that resulted in a Great Dane penalty kick. Caleb Vallance stepped to the spot, sending a low right shot in, but it was read perfectly by Samuels who came up with the save to keep it scoreless.

With new urgency, the Tigers started hunting for a goal. In the 33rd minute, the Tigers earned a free kick 20 yards outside the box. Tsunehara serviced the ball in, where Vilet swiftly headed the ball past Genz and towards the back post to make it 1-0 Tigers.

Despite being outshot six to two, Princeton went into the half with the 1-0 advantage.

Coming out of the break, Princeton upped the energy, with Bardia Hormozi testing keeper Genz again just minutes in with a curled shot towards the near post.

The Great Danes, continuing to scrap for a goal, sent it the other way and asked more of Samuels as he stopped a bottom right shot from Sondre Hladik with one arm in the 60th.

With both sides going end-to-end, Princeton looked to add another with Hormozi leading the Tigers with three more shots in the half. Still, with one more stopped by Genz and two others going wide, none would find the back of the net.

Sophomore Jackson Martin also tried to double it for the Tigers, with a blocked shot and another good look that was called offside.

As the clock ticked down, UAlbany scrambled to equalize with three shots in the last five minutes. Two went wide before Roko Branko Mrvelj forced yet another save by Samuels in the 90th minute.

With Samuels' shot-stopping and Vilet's goal still marking the difference, Princeton took the victory 1-0.

Of Note

Samuels made six saves for his fourth shutout this season. His GAA now improves to 0.20.
Sophomore Vilet's goal was his career first, coming after a first point contribution against Portland last week.
Tsunehara's assist was his third this season, now tying the team-high.
Princeton was outshot by UAlbany, 13-10, with the Great Danes making six on target to the Tigers' three.

Up Next
Continuing their four-game road stint, the Tigers will next travel more locally as they face fellow Jersey foe Rutgers on Tuesday in Piscataway. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Yurcak Field.