No. 5 Princeton Uses Penalty, Red Card to Defeat Columbia, 2-0

Saturday, October 18

Princeton, N.J.

4:00 p.m.

Columbia University

1-6-4, 0-3-1

Princeton

10-1-1, 4-0-0

Columbia

Princeton

Dean Kelliher tied his career high with seven saves

Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Stockton Photo, Inc.

No. 5 Princeton Uses Penalty, Red Card to Defeat Columbia, 2-0

10/18/2025 6:15:00 PM | Men's Soccer

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Kelliher matches career-high with seven saves

PRINCETON, N.J. — The Columbia men's soccer team gave No. 5 Princeton everything it could handle for 90 minutes, but the Tigers ultimately prevailed, 2-0, Saturday at Roberts Stadium.

Two big moments helped decide the outcome. The first of them came when the Tigers (10-1-1, 4-0-0 Ivy) were awarded a penalty kick for a handball in the 31st minute. The second came when Joe McDaid was issued a red card in the 74th. Columbia (1-6-4, 0-3-1 Ivy) still managed to keep it a one-goal game until the 87th minute.

Princeton broke through just past the half-hour mark. Daniel Ittycharia had possession of the ball just outside the right end of the penalty area. He attempted to send a ball through but it hit off the elbow of Andrew Hilton II. The referee deemed it as handball and Ittycharia converted the penalty kick to open the scoring.

Going down by a goal seemed to inspire the Lions' attack. After ceding the majority of possession to Princeton over the first 30 minutes and getting outshot 8-1, Columbia had the majority of the ball and looked dangerous over the final 15 minutes of the half. The Lions outshot Princeton 3-0 over that time, generated their first corner of the game and even had a couple of looks at free kicks in close. A shot off the head of Jackson ten Oever on the corner kick came dangerously close to the right post.

Dean Kelliher made a tremendous diving save just two minutes into the second half to prevent Princeton from doubling the lead. Joe McDaid later followed with a great sliding defensive block inside the box in the 70th minute. Ittycharia had made a move to get in close and drove a hard shot toward Kelliher that McDaid's sliding effort sent over the end line.

Much like they ended the first half, Columbia had some good moments and spells of possession in the second half. However, they were unable to turn those into shots on goal.

Four minutes later, McDaid was unfortunately shown a red card. Ittycharia was sent ahead and got behind the back line, facing a clear goal-scoring opportunity. McDaid fouled Ittycharia from behind and the referee showed no hesitation, reaching into his back pocket for the red card and putting Columbia a man down for the final 16 minutes.

Despite going down a man, the Lions took risks and continued to look for the equalizer. It required a Kelliher to come up with a few more spectacular efforts, but he was up to the task every time. The senior ended the game with a career-high-tying seven saves.

Ittycharia finally doubled Princeton's lead with four minutes to go. Again, with Columbia keeping men forward, the Princeton senior got the ball in close to Kelliher's goal. This time, he used his left and squeezed a ball inside the near post. Kelliher got a piece of it, but it wasn't enough to keep it from going in the back of the net.

The Lions return home for their next match, which comes in one week, Saturday, October 25, against Harvard. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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