Princeton Dominates Villanova with a 3-0 Victory: A Look Back at the Game’s Thrilling Start

VILLANOVA, Pa. – On a sunny fall afternoon, Princeton took control early, scoring three goals in the first 38 minutes to defeat Villanova 3-0 in a non-conference men’s soccer match at the Higgins Soccer Complex.

Villanova’s head coach, Mark Fetrow, acknowledged the challenge posed by Princeton, a team that competed in last year’s NCAA Tournament. “We’ve been good at starting strong, but today they were the aggressive side. Their first goal caught us off guard, and the momentum just shifted,” he noted.

Princeton’s first goal came at 11:43. Bardia Hormozi found the ball beyond the 18-yard box and shot it cleanly inside the left post. The Tigers followed up with two more goals from set pieces. A corner kick led to Daniel Ittycheria’s goal at 35:24, and another goal off a free kick occurred in the 39th minute.

Fetrow reflected on their defensive lapses: “We lost track of their players in crucial areas. We had strong players, but they outmaneuvered us.”

Villanova nearly turned the game around early in the second half. Sam Nyenka was fouled in the box, resulting in a penalty kick after a video review. However, Fyn Lahrsen’s shot was saved by Princeton’s goalkeeper, Andrew Samuels.

“If we had scored then, who knows how it would have changed the game,” Fetrow said. Villanova’s goalkeeper, Alex Yagudayev, also had a solid performance, making four crucial saves.

During halftime, Villanova paid tribute to its alumni soccer players.

Looking ahead, Villanova prepares for its BIG EAST Conference opener against DePaul on Friday at 2 p.m. at the Higgins Soccer Complex. Fetrow commented, “We’ll regroup on Sunday, watch the game footage, and bond as a team. DePaul is unbeaten so far, so we’ll need to be ready.”

In a broader context, college soccer has seen increased competitiveness in recent years. According to a 2023 NCAA report, the number of teams participating in men’s soccer has grown by 5% since 2019, highlighting the sport’s growing popularity.

As the season unfolds, each match not only tests the teams’ skills but also builds their stories. Villanova aims to write a better chapter against DePaul.

For more insights on NCAA sports and statistics, visit NCAA.com.

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