Saturday, October 10
New York, N.Y.
5:00 p.m.
Columbia
vs
Princeton
Photo by: Columbia University Athletics
Men’s Soccer Faces Off with Princeton Saturday Evening
10/9/2026 4:55:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Commisso tribute planned as part of Columbia soccer doubleheader
NEW YORK — The Columbia men's soccer team (3-2-3, 0-1-1 Ivy) continues Ivy League play with a home contest against Princeton (6-2-3, 1-1-0 Ivy) on Saturday. Kickoff from Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium is scheduled for 5 p.m.
Saturday's men's soccer match is part of a Columbia soccer doubleheader. The women's soccer team hosts Cornell to start the doubleheader at 1 p.m.
TRIBUTE TO COMMISSO
The Columbia men's and women's soccer programs will continue to honor the memory of Rocco B. Commisso '71SEAS '75BUS throughout the weekend. In addition to the commemorative patch featuring his initials, "RBC," on their kits that they have worn throughout the year, the Lions will be wearing special Commisso warm-up t-shirts prior to the game.
Prior to the start of Saturday's men's soccer match, the Commisso family will be honored on the field.
Rocco B. Commisso, who passed away on Jan. 16, 2026, at age 76, was a standout Columbia men's soccer player, longtime supporter of Columbia Athletics and accomplished business leader. A three-year All-Ivy League honoree as both a defensive and offensive player, he helped lead the Lions to winning records in each of his four seasons. As co-captain of the 1970 team, he helped guide Columbia to its first NCAA Tournament appearance.
Commisso went on to become a successful entrepreneur, founding Mediacom Communications in 1995 and building it into one of the nation's largest cable television providers. He remained closely connected to soccer throughout his life, including ownership roles with the New York Cosmos and Italian Serie A club ACF Fiorentina.
GAME COVERAGE:
Fans can watch Saturday's game live on ESPN+. Fans can also track live stats courtesy of GoColumbiaLions.com. In-game updates will also be provided on the @CULionsMSOC social media accounts.
THE IVY TABLE
Columbia has 1 point through its first two Ivy League matches, earning that point at home earlier this week in a 1-1 draw against Brown. Princeton is two points ahead of the Lions at 1-1 in league play, falling to Dartmouth in its Ivy opener, 1-0, but bouncing back with a win against Yale last Saturday, 2-1.
ZIELINSKI SCORES A LATE BEAUTY
Trailing 1-0 entering the 84th minute of Tuesday's match, the Lions rallied for a late equalizer from junior midfielder Luke Zielinski. Senior defender Joe McDaid sent a long ball over the top with Zielinski sprinting toward the box. Zielinski got in behind the back line and met the shot first time, blasting it across the face of goal to level the score. However, the goal was initially ruled offside by the assistant referee. Upon video review, the head referee determined it was a good goal, marking the second goal of Zielinski's career and his first since last October 28 against Fordham.
397 MINUTES OF SHUTOUT SOCCER
After debuting on September 9, sophomore goalkeeper Aris Taki posted a streak of 397 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal before surrendering the first of his career at Harvard last Saturday, October 3. The shutout streak was the longest by a Columbia keeper since Dylan Castanheira '19CC posted five consecutive shutouts in the 2017 season.
Taki's and the Columbia back line's string of shutouts helped the Lions put together a five-match unbeaten streak (Sept. 5-22). It was the longest such streak since the Lions won five straight matches in 2018. The run included a three-game winning streak, all on the road, over Fordham (1-0), Manhattan (2-0), and Temple (1-0). It was the first time Columbia won three straight matches that all came on the road since 2016.
TAKI LOCKING IT DOWN
Sophomore goalkeeper Aris Taki was named the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week for matches played the week of Sept. 14-20. The week included just one match, a 1-0 shutout victory over Temple. In doing so, Taki became the first Lion to earn the league's weekly defensive honors since defender Jackson ten Oever in October of 2024. Following the selection, Taki had a pair of saves to help preserve a fourth consecutive shutout performance in a 0-0 home draw against Lehigh.
Through the first eight matches of the season, Columbia ranks No. 9 nationally in shutout percentage (50.0%). Taki ranks No. 1 in the NCAA in save percentage (90.0%) and No. 2 in goals-against average (0.333). His four shutouts rank inside the top 25.
JACK ON THE ATTACK
Senior midfielder Jack McDaid has a team-leading four goals and 11 total points this season. Entering Saturday's game, he ranks top 50 in the NCAA in points per game (1.38) and top 40 in game-winning goals (2). He is also top 100 in assists per game (0.38), picking up his most recent assist on Tuesday against Brown, and top 75 in goals per game (0.50).
McDaid scored the game-winning goal in the 88th minute to lift the Lions over Temple, 1-0, on Sept. 15. He has scored in three of Columbia's eight matches, including a five-point performance back on September 5 in a 3-3 draw against Fairfield. McDaid's five points in a single match are the most by a Lion since John Denis had five in a 6-1 Columbia victory over Harvard on Nov. 10, 2019.
COLUMBIA IN THE NCAA TEAM RANKINGS (TOP 50)
- No. 1 in the NCAA in fouls committed per game (6.50).
- No. 9 in the shutout percentage (50.0%)
- No. 37 in shots per game (14.75)
THE SERIES
Columbia leads the all-time series against Princeton, 33-28-12. However, the Tigers are unbeaten against the Lions since 2017, holding a record of 6-0-2 across eight matches over that span. Columbia's last series victory came 10 years ago, Oct. 15, 2016, at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium by a score of 2-1. Vana Markarian scored the game-winner less than five minutes into overtime.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Princeton ranked as high as No. 11 in the Week 4 United Soccer Coaches National Poll (Sept. 15). Since then, they've fallen out of the national rankings, posting a record of 2-2-2 over their last six matches with losses to Rutgers and Dartmouth. Both of those losses came on the road.
The Tigers are stout defensively, ranking No. 3 nationally in goals-against average (0.545), No. 3 in save percentage (87.0%) and No. 7 in shutout percentage (54.5%). Keeper Andrew Samuels has played every minute of the season in goal, ranking No. 3 in the NCAA with six shutouts, No. 6 in save percentage and No. 6 in goals-against average.
The attack is led by Bardia Hormozi, who has a team-high four goals and 11 points on the campaign. He and Roka Tsunehara (8 points) have combined for 19 of the team's 35 points, six of the 12 goals and seven of the 11 assists. Hormozi averages 4.11 shots per game, a mark that ranks No. 8 in the NCAA.
2026 SEASON PREVIEW NOTES
THE 2026 CAPTAINS
Columbia men's soccer announced that its team captains for the 2026 season are seniors Jackson ten Oever, Jack McDaid and Joe McDaid. Ten Oever is an All-Ivy League Honorable Mention and two-time CSC Academic All-District selection who has been a mainstay in the starting lineup throughout his career. Joe McDaid and Jack McDaid are in their third year at Columbia after playing together at Maryland as freshmen. Jack earned Second Team All-Ivy League distinction last year, registering three goals and two assists out of his midfield position. The trio brings veteran leadership, defensive toughness, and proven capability in key moments heading into their senior seasons with the Lions.
THE NEWCOMERS
Head coach Michael Casper and his staff welcomed a talented class of newcomers to the 2026 roster. The balanced incoming class includes two goalkeepers, two defenders, two midfielders and two forwards.
Speaking on the incoming class, Casper stated, "We want players that fit the model of what we want Columbia men's soccer to look like – hard-working and technical with the ability to become difference makers."
The new group of Lions includes impactful fresh faces across the pitch, including additions to the defense, midfield, and forward lines, who will push for immediate playing time and elevate the competitive environment.
YEAR FOUR UNDER CASPER
In what is now his fourth season leading the Lions, head coach Michael Casper will look to turn the corner and bring the program back to prominence. With an experienced returning foundation and an energetic incoming class, Columbia looks to start the 2026 campaign strong. In his season preview, Casper talked about the team's competitiveness against the teams that qualified for the 2025 Ivy League Tournament. Columbia earned a convincing 3-1 win over Harvard, a 2-2 draw against Penn, and played highly competitive matches against nationally-ranked Cornell and Princeton.
"To think that you can get a win and a tie off of the top four and be in the games that the other two, you're not far away," he stated. "We need to be better with our finishing this fall, but when I think about the way that we played, there was a lot of improvement.
"I think this group of guys is going to have their hands full in replacing some of that leadership and … ability that
last year's class brought to the field. But I'm excited about the opportunity that they have."
Fans can catch the full interview with Coach Casper ahead of the start of the season on GoColumbiaLions.TV.
ABOUT COLUMBIA MEN'S SOCCER
The 2026 season marks the 79th varsity season of men's soccer at Columbia University. The program was established in 1906 but discontinued as a varsity sport from 1916-57. The program regained its varsity status in 1957 and played 63 straight seasons until the 2020 campaign was canceled due to COVID.
Columbia men's soccer came to prominence in the late '70s, advancing to their first NCAA Tournament in 1978 before going all the way to the Final Four in 1979. After multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and Ivy League championships through the early '80s, the Lions made a run to the NCAA Tournament Championship Game in 1983. Columbia defeated UConn, 4-0, in the Final Four to take on Indiana for the National Championship. The Hoosiers outlasted Columbia, 1-0, in overtime.
Columbia owns 10 Ivy League championships and 13 NCAA Tournament appearances all-time.
FOLLOW THE LIONS:
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.
Saturday's men's soccer match is part of a Columbia soccer doubleheader. The women's soccer team hosts Cornell to start the doubleheader at 1 p.m.
TRIBUTE TO COMMISSO
The Columbia men's and women's soccer programs will continue to honor the memory of Rocco B. Commisso '71SEAS '75BUS throughout the weekend. In addition to the commemorative patch featuring his initials, "RBC," on their kits that they have worn throughout the year, the Lions will be wearing special Commisso warm-up t-shirts prior to the game.
Prior to the start of Saturday's men's soccer match, the Commisso family will be honored on the field.
Rocco B. Commisso, who passed away on Jan. 16, 2026, at age 76, was a standout Columbia men's soccer player, longtime supporter of Columbia Athletics and accomplished business leader. A three-year All-Ivy League honoree as both a defensive and offensive player, he helped lead the Lions to winning records in each of his four seasons. As co-captain of the 1970 team, he helped guide Columbia to its first NCAA Tournament appearance.
Commisso went on to become a successful entrepreneur, founding Mediacom Communications in 1995 and building it into one of the nation's largest cable television providers. He remained closely connected to soccer throughout his life, including ownership roles with the New York Cosmos and Italian Serie A club ACF Fiorentina.
GAME COVERAGE:
Fans can watch Saturday's game live on ESPN+. Fans can also track live stats courtesy of GoColumbiaLions.com. In-game updates will also be provided on the @CULionsMSOC social media accounts.
THE IVY TABLE
Columbia has 1 point through its first two Ivy League matches, earning that point at home earlier this week in a 1-1 draw against Brown. Princeton is two points ahead of the Lions at 1-1 in league play, falling to Dartmouth in its Ivy opener, 1-0, but bouncing back with a win against Yale last Saturday, 2-1.
| Team | Overall | Ivy | Points |
| Cornell | 6-2-1 | 2-0-0 | 6 |
| Penn | 4-1-3 | 1-0-1 | 4 |
| Princeton | 6-2-3 | 1-1-0 | 3 |
| Dartmouth | 3-4-2 | 1-1-0 | 3 |
| Harvard | 2-5-2 | 1-1-0 | 3 |
| Columbia | 3-2-3 | 0-1-1 | 1 |
| Brown | 4-3-2 | 0-1-1 | 1 |
| Yale | 2-6-1 | 0-1-1 | 1 |
ZIELINSKI SCORES A LATE BEAUTY
Trailing 1-0 entering the 84th minute of Tuesday's match, the Lions rallied for a late equalizer from junior midfielder Luke Zielinski. Senior defender Joe McDaid sent a long ball over the top with Zielinski sprinting toward the box. Zielinski got in behind the back line and met the shot first time, blasting it across the face of goal to level the score. However, the goal was initially ruled offside by the assistant referee. Upon video review, the head referee determined it was a good goal, marking the second goal of Zielinski's career and his first since last October 28 against Fordham.
397 MINUTES OF SHUTOUT SOCCER
After debuting on September 9, sophomore goalkeeper Aris Taki posted a streak of 397 consecutive minutes without allowing a goal before surrendering the first of his career at Harvard last Saturday, October 3. The shutout streak was the longest by a Columbia keeper since Dylan Castanheira '19CC posted five consecutive shutouts in the 2017 season.
Taki's and the Columbia back line's string of shutouts helped the Lions put together a five-match unbeaten streak (Sept. 5-22). It was the longest such streak since the Lions won five straight matches in 2018. The run included a three-game winning streak, all on the road, over Fordham (1-0), Manhattan (2-0), and Temple (1-0). It was the first time Columbia won three straight matches that all came on the road since 2016.
TAKI LOCKING IT DOWN
Sophomore goalkeeper Aris Taki was named the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week for matches played the week of Sept. 14-20. The week included just one match, a 1-0 shutout victory over Temple. In doing so, Taki became the first Lion to earn the league's weekly defensive honors since defender Jackson ten Oever in October of 2024. Following the selection, Taki had a pair of saves to help preserve a fourth consecutive shutout performance in a 0-0 home draw against Lehigh.
Through the first eight matches of the season, Columbia ranks No. 9 nationally in shutout percentage (50.0%). Taki ranks No. 1 in the NCAA in save percentage (90.0%) and No. 2 in goals-against average (0.333). His four shutouts rank inside the top 25.
JACK ON THE ATTACK
Senior midfielder Jack McDaid has a team-leading four goals and 11 total points this season. Entering Saturday's game, he ranks top 50 in the NCAA in points per game (1.38) and top 40 in game-winning goals (2). He is also top 100 in assists per game (0.38), picking up his most recent assist on Tuesday against Brown, and top 75 in goals per game (0.50).
McDaid scored the game-winning goal in the 88th minute to lift the Lions over Temple, 1-0, on Sept. 15. He has scored in three of Columbia's eight matches, including a five-point performance back on September 5 in a 3-3 draw against Fairfield. McDaid's five points in a single match are the most by a Lion since John Denis had five in a 6-1 Columbia victory over Harvard on Nov. 10, 2019.
COLUMBIA IN THE NCAA TEAM RANKINGS (TOP 50)
- No. 1 in the NCAA in fouls committed per game (6.50).
- No. 9 in the shutout percentage (50.0%)
- No. 37 in shots per game (14.75)
THE SERIES
Columbia leads the all-time series against Princeton, 33-28-12. However, the Tigers are unbeaten against the Lions since 2017, holding a record of 6-0-2 across eight matches over that span. Columbia's last series victory came 10 years ago, Oct. 15, 2016, at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium by a score of 2-1. Vana Markarian scored the game-winner less than five minutes into overtime.
SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Princeton ranked as high as No. 11 in the Week 4 United Soccer Coaches National Poll (Sept. 15). Since then, they've fallen out of the national rankings, posting a record of 2-2-2 over their last six matches with losses to Rutgers and Dartmouth. Both of those losses came on the road.
The Tigers are stout defensively, ranking No. 3 nationally in goals-against average (0.545), No. 3 in save percentage (87.0%) and No. 7 in shutout percentage (54.5%). Keeper Andrew Samuels has played every minute of the season in goal, ranking No. 3 in the NCAA with six shutouts, No. 6 in save percentage and No. 6 in goals-against average.
The attack is led by Bardia Hormozi, who has a team-high four goals and 11 points on the campaign. He and Roka Tsunehara (8 points) have combined for 19 of the team's 35 points, six of the 12 goals and seven of the 11 assists. Hormozi averages 4.11 shots per game, a mark that ranks No. 8 in the NCAA.
2026 SEASON PREVIEW NOTES
THE 2026 CAPTAINS
Columbia men's soccer announced that its team captains for the 2026 season are seniors Jackson ten Oever, Jack McDaid and Joe McDaid. Ten Oever is an All-Ivy League Honorable Mention and two-time CSC Academic All-District selection who has been a mainstay in the starting lineup throughout his career. Joe McDaid and Jack McDaid are in their third year at Columbia after playing together at Maryland as freshmen. Jack earned Second Team All-Ivy League distinction last year, registering three goals and two assists out of his midfield position. The trio brings veteran leadership, defensive toughness, and proven capability in key moments heading into their senior seasons with the Lions.
THE NEWCOMERS
Head coach Michael Casper and his staff welcomed a talented class of newcomers to the 2026 roster. The balanced incoming class includes two goalkeepers, two defenders, two midfielders and two forwards.
Speaking on the incoming class, Casper stated, "We want players that fit the model of what we want Columbia men's soccer to look like – hard-working and technical with the ability to become difference makers."
The new group of Lions includes impactful fresh faces across the pitch, including additions to the defense, midfield, and forward lines, who will push for immediate playing time and elevate the competitive environment.
YEAR FOUR UNDER CASPER
In what is now his fourth season leading the Lions, head coach Michael Casper will look to turn the corner and bring the program back to prominence. With an experienced returning foundation and an energetic incoming class, Columbia looks to start the 2026 campaign strong. In his season preview, Casper talked about the team's competitiveness against the teams that qualified for the 2025 Ivy League Tournament. Columbia earned a convincing 3-1 win over Harvard, a 2-2 draw against Penn, and played highly competitive matches against nationally-ranked Cornell and Princeton.
"To think that you can get a win and a tie off of the top four and be in the games that the other two, you're not far away," he stated. "We need to be better with our finishing this fall, but when I think about the way that we played, there was a lot of improvement.
"I think this group of guys is going to have their hands full in replacing some of that leadership and … ability that
last year's class brought to the field. But I'm excited about the opportunity that they have."
Fans can catch the full interview with Coach Casper ahead of the start of the season on GoColumbiaLions.TV.
ABOUT COLUMBIA MEN'S SOCCER
The 2026 season marks the 79th varsity season of men's soccer at Columbia University. The program was established in 1906 but discontinued as a varsity sport from 1916-57. The program regained its varsity status in 1957 and played 63 straight seasons until the 2020 campaign was canceled due to COVID.
Columbia men's soccer came to prominence in the late '70s, advancing to their first NCAA Tournament in 1978 before going all the way to the Final Four in 1979. After multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and Ivy League championships through the early '80s, the Lions made a run to the NCAA Tournament Championship Game in 1983. Columbia defeated UConn, 4-0, in the Final Four to take on Indiana for the National Championship. The Hoosiers outlasted Columbia, 1-0, in overtime.
Columbia owns 10 Ivy League championships and 13 NCAA Tournament appearances all-time.
FOLLOW THE LIONS:
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.
Players Mentioned
M
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's SoccerThursday, October 08
Tuesday, September 22
Tuesday, September 15
Saturday, September 12
