NEW YORK — The Columbia men's soccer team's 1-0 halftime lead was wiped away in a 2-1 defeat to Princeton on Saturday at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium.
Prior to the start of the match, Columbia celebrated Alumni Day by honoring members of the 1983 Hall of Fame team that advanced to the NCAA Tournament Championship Game. The team members in attendance were Amr Aly '85, John Meegan '84, Gary Escher '84, Stephen Pfeil '85, Steve Sirtis '84, Jimmy Wurster '86 and Walter Chudowsky '86. Also on the field for the ceremony were Columbia University Athletics Hall of Famer and men's soccer alum Rocco B. Commisso '71SEAS, '75BUS, and his son and 2006 Columbia University alumnus Giuseppe B. Commisso.
With the '83 team cheering them on, the Lions used a little of that magic early on. They earned a corner kick in the opening five minutes and took advantage, as
Jack McDaid's inswinger found the head of
Rafa Romo at the far post. Romo buried it from close range to give the Lions a 1-0 lead on his first collegiate goal.
Playing with the lead, Columbia (1-9-1, 1-2-1- Ivy) remained in control for much of the first half. Junior goalkeeper
Dean Kelliher did his part as well, making two dazzling stops on his way to three first-half saves. He would end the night with a career-high five saves.
Princeton (6-5-0, 3-1-0 Ivy) looked to have the equalizer in the opening moments of the second half, only to see it waved away when the line judge ruled the ball had gone out of play before the shot. However, moments later, they would ultimately find that goal courtesy of Nico Nee. He received the ball in space down the left side of the field, split two defenders and planted a right-footed shot inside the far post to level the scoreline.
The Tigers pressured relentlessly in the second half, outshooting Columbia by a margin of 14-2 over the final 45 minutes. They found the go-ahead strike in the 64th minute, as Gabriel Duchovny settled a ball sent in from near midfield by Jack Hunt. The ball took one bounce off Duchovny's chest from outside the top of the area before he turned and fired a blast that dipped under the crossbar for the 2-1 advantage.
A save off the line from
Jackson ten Oever helped keep it a one-goal game. The Lions then came to life on the attack late and nearly found the equalizer.
Will Case got one-on-one with keeper Andrew Samuels down the right side. Case attempted to squeeze his shot by Samuels could not find the space. It was one of two saves for Samuels on the night.
The Lions continue league play next Saturday at Harvard (2-5-4, 1-3-0 Ivy). First kick in Cambridge, Massachusetts is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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