Lions Fall at Princeton, 3-0

Saturday, October 16

Princeton, NJ

3:00 P.M.

Columbia University

1-7-3, 0-2-1

Princeton

6-5-0, 3-0-0

Columbia

Princeton

Photo by: Columbia University Athletics/Mike McLaughlin

10/16/2021 8:59:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Box Score Game Book (pdf)

Tigers pull away in second half

PRINCETON, N.J. — Princeton put away two second-half goals to pull away from the Columbia men's soccer team, 3-0, in Ivy League action Saturday afternoon at Class of 1952 Stadium.

"This is a difficult time for us. The results are not anywhere near what we are hoping for or wanting," Columbia head coach Kevin Anderson said. "We have the opportunity Monday to put our work in and get ready to put our best foot forward next Saturday at Dartmouth."

The Tigers (6-5-0, 3-0-0 Ivy) went ahead in the 16th minute when Kevin O'Toole connected on a left-footed shot from outside the box that snuck in under the crossbar. The opportunity was set up following a Princeton throw deep in the Columbia half that eventually led to O'Toole's shot from distance.

Columbia (1-7-3, 0-2-1 Ivy) was only credited with one shot in each half and began to send numbers forward into the second half to try and level the match. Five minutes into the second half, the Lions had one of their best looks on a header in close from Sebastian Gunbeyi, but it was blasted over the bar.

Midway through the second half, Princeton struck on the counter. Following a free kick by the Lions in the Princeton half, the Tigers gained possession and quickly moved the ball across the midfield stripe. Michael Osei Wusu caught up to it and played a ball ahead for O'Toole, who buried his second goal of the match to Collodi's left and inside the far post to double the home side's lead.

"I know you can look at the score and think Princeton dominated the game, but I thought our guys controlled the majority of it," Anderson went on to say. "We had our moments, the difference is that we didn't finish our chances and they did."

With less than 15 minutes left, Princeton put the game out of reach. A blocked shot off the foot of James Wangsness sent a loose ball through the left half of the penalty area. Osei Wusu was in the right spot at the right time, hitting a left-footed shot into the back of the net to bring the match to its eventual final tally.

"I would be naive to say Princeton didn't have quality," Anderson added. "We have to continue to get into the offensive third and create volume and quality of our own. I know when we get back to work on Monday that all of our guys will be doing everything they can to try and turn this season around."

Columbia will try its luck again next Saturday when they visit Dartmouth. Kickoff from Hanover, New Hampshire is set for 7 p.m. ET.

For the latest on Columbia men's soccer, be sure to follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@CULionsMSOC), on Facebook (ColumbiaMensSoccer), or by visiting GoColumbiaLions.com.