Men's Soccer Drops 1-0 Decision at Princeton

Tuesday, October 8

Princeton, N.J.

7:00

Drexel University

5-5-1

Princeton

4-5

Drexel

Princeton

Photo by: Greg Carroccio

10/8/2013 8:52:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

PRINCETON, N.J.- Playing without several of their regular starters, the Drexel men's soccer team could not overcome those losses as they fell at Princeton on Tuesday, 1-0. The loss was the third in a row for the Dragons, who had won five in a row before that.

Senior regulars Tal Bublil and Ken Tribbett sat on Tuesday. Nathan Page also sat for most of the game before coming on for the final 15 minutes of play with the Dragons trailing. In their absence, the Dragons played strong defense, keeping Princeton from putting together any sustained offense in the first half before the Tigers broke through with a goal early in the second stanza.

Neither team was able to get much going offensively in the first half. There were just four total shots, with each team registering two and each goalkeeper being called upon to make a save. Joaquin del Rosario had the best look for Drexel, chipping in a shot from about 15 yards out to the right of Princeton keeper Ben Hummel. He was able to beat Hummel, who had crept out of the goal mouth, but a Princeton defender got back and punted the ball out of the way just before it crossed the goal line.

Princeton, meanwhile, had its best look in the first minute of play and came out quickly again in the second half. The Tigers got their second corner of the day just a few ticks into the second half, but could do nothing with it.

In the 59th minute, Princeton broke through. Thomas Sanner got control along the end line to Drexel keeper Tyler Afflerbach's right. He worked his way around two Drexel defenders and got enough of an angle to fire and sneak the ball just inside the far post for the game's first score.

Despite the goal, the Dragons played well defensively throughout the match. Robert Liberatore, serving as the captain with the senior trio out at the start, was particularly impressive. His play helped slow a Princeton charge in the 88th minute that looked likely to net the Tigers a second goal. He forced a hesitation by Princeton's Cameron Porter, and the Tigers ultimately could do nothing more than manage a header shot off the outside of the net. Minutes later, Jameson Detweiler and Phillip Hagerty chased down Sanner and kept the Princeton forward from getting a shot off on a breakaway attempt.

The Dragons will return to action on Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. when they resume Colonial Athletic Association play against Northeastern at Vidas Field.