Lions Battle Princeton to a Hard-Fought 1-1 Draw

Saturday, October 10

New York, N.Y.

5:00 p.m.

Columbia

3-2-4, 0-1-2

Princeton

6-2-4, 1-1-1

Team	1	2	Final F
Princeton	1	0	1
Columbia	1	0	1

Match Book Postgame Interview Highlight: Sosa's Goal

MSOC: Columbia vs. Princeton (Oct. 10, 2026)

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

Lions Battle Princeton to a Hard-Fought 1-1 Draw

10/10/2026 8:15:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score Highlight: Sosa's Early Goal Postgame: Coach Casper Match Book Photo Gallery

Early Sosa goal sets tone as Columbia draws the defending Ivy champs at home

NEW YORK — A third-minute strike from Joshua Sosa gave the Columbia men's soccer team an early lead, helping the Lions ultimately earn a 1-1 draw against defending Ivy League champion Princeton on Saturday evening at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium.

"What a really difficult game it was. Princeton is very, very good," Columbia head coach Michael Casper said in his postgame interview. "There was a lot of battling and fighting we had to do to get possession of the ball and get the game into their half. I thought as the game went on that we started to create more chances and put some pressure on Princeton. To win the game is just the final ball, the final quality, the final touch, but really proud of the effort."

The Lions (3-2-4, 0-1-2 Ivy) got off to a dream start in the third minute. Henning Myrvang initiated the play from the left side of the box, finding Jack McDaid in the center. McDaid quickly shifted the ball out wide to Stepan Kapranov on the right, who sent a crisp cross back into the center of the 6-yard box for Sosa to finish from close range.

"Joshua is a really talented kid with a bright future ahead of him," Casper went on to say. "It was a really good goal, kind of on the break in the beginning of the game … What a great moment for the group and a great way to start off the game … really proud of Josh."

Columbia continued to threaten for a second goal shortly after, but Princeton goalkeeper Andrew Samuels stepped up to make key early saves. The Tigers (6-2-4, 1-1-1 Ivy) responded with pressure of their own midway through the opening half, forcing Columbia goalkeeper Aris Taki into a spectacular diving save in the 28th minute to preserve the advantage. The save was immediately followed by an official video review for a potential Columbia handball during the buildup to the shot, but the call stood with no penalty awarded.

Princeton continued to pile up corner kicks late in the half and finally capitalized on its sixth opportunity in the 40th minute. Roka Tsunehara sent in a corner that was met on the far side by Lucas Ferreira. He headed it just inside his near post to level the score entering halftime.

The Tigers carried their momentum into the second half, imposing their will and taking control of the tempo while generating 12 total corner kicks on the night. Columbia's defense stood tall against the heavy set-piece volume to keep Princeton off the board. The Lions had a strong appeal for a potential handball inside the box early in the period, but play continued.

Columbia created late opportunities down the stretch with shots on target from Luke Zielinski and Sosa, but Samuels turned away both attempts.

Taki and the Columbia defense held strong through the final whistle to secure the point. The sophomore keeper from Cyprus and his Princeton counterpart finished the night with three saves apiece.

Columbia plays a third straight home match this upcoming Tuesday, October 13, against Holy Cross at 7 p.m. The team's next Ivy League match comes a week from today, October 17, at Dartmouth.

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