NEW YORK — Will DeNight sent home a perfect free-kick goal in the 86th minute and the Columbia men's soccer team held on to draw Princeton, 1-1, Saturday afternoon at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium.
DeNight's goal came after the Tigers (4-4-2, 1-1-1 Ivy) had broken through in the 75th minute. The Lions kept battling and earned the free kick in a dangerous position. DeNight lined it up, took four steps and struck a hard right-footed curler from outside of 30 yards that could not have been placed any better into the top corner. There was nothing Princeton keeper William Watson could do but dive to his right just to watch it fly by his hand and into the back of the net, as the Lions erupted in jubilation.
"We could have won that game. I'm confident in that, but the free kick was nice," DeNight said afterward. "Set plays give us a great opportunity to capitalize on mistakes that they make. I'm happy about it but I think the team put in an absolute shift and we should have come out with three points today."
Columbia (1-5-5, 0-0-3 Ivy) remains unbeaten against Ivy League competition, drawing the Tigers, Harvard (1-1) and Brown (0-0).
DeNight's goal came after Princeton had an extended spell of possession in the Columbia half to break through. Francis Akomeah gained control near the midfield circle and played a ball up ahead along the right side for Daniel Ittycheria. The ensuing cross sent in by Ittycheria was played low and perfectly for James Wangsness, who fired it one time into the back of the net.
"I felt like guys followed what we asked. I think there are moments in every game where you want to try and build and create more quality," head coach Kevin Anderson said. "The game is won and lost in critical moments. I think we created enough to put ourselves on the scoreboard. They created the one opportunity that they needed and took advantage of it. That's the hard part of this game."
Columbia's defense was up to the task, yet again, frustrating the Princeton attack and giving the Tigers limited opportunities throughout the match. Princeton got off 11 shots, but only three of them were on target. Most of their opportunities were from distance and did not threaten Collodi's goal. Princeton's first official shot on goal didn't come until late in the first half.
The Lions put the ball in the back of the net in the 15th minute but had it waved for offside. The opportunity was set up by a foul about 10 yards outside the top-right side of the penalty area. Ryan Kipness sent the free kick in toward the back post that found the head of Matthew Leong, who buried it in as the assistant referee's flag went up.
Columbia would threaten a few more times over the first half. Reigning Ivy League Rookie of the Week Joao Lima had an opportunity blocked away in the penalty area. Minutes later, Will DeNight got off a good look from the right side that forced William Watson into a diving save.
Jack Muoio had the first opportunity of the second half just over a minute into the period. He lined up a free kick from only a few yards outside the right half of the 18 and fired in a low, driven left-footed shot that squeezed its way between several players before whistling by the far post.
Princeton put together two good chances near the hour mark. Matthew Leong made a goal-saving clearance on Ryan Clare's shot from inside the box. Moments later, the Tigers sent in a corner that resulted in a header at the far post that went wide.
The Lions were on the defensive for a better part of the second half. Princeton had a goal waved off following a corner as the assistant raised his flag for the ball going out play.
Columbia (1-5-5, 0-0-3 Ivy) will test its unbeaten Ivy League record next Saturday when it visits Dartmouth (4-4-3, 1-2-0 Ivy). Kickoff from Hanover, New Hampshire is set for 7 p.m.
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.
