Princeton Falls in Season Opener at FDU 3-0

September 6, 2013

TEANECK, N.J. (9/6/13) – Fairleigh Dickinson spoiled the Princeton men’s soccer season opener using its experience to take a 3-0 game on Friday, Sept. 6 at University Stadium.

It marked the Tigers’ first loss in a season opener since 2008.

“We played against a really experienced and athletic team that advanced deep into the tournament last year,” Princeton head coach Jim Barlow said. “They are further along than we are and they capitalized in the first half on a few corner kicks and we can’t allow that against good teams. FDU did a good job of taking the lead and making it hard for us to create chances to score.”

FDU, which reached the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament last year, won its third straight game with its third shutout.

Junior Nico Wright put the Knights on the board in the 27th minute when he took the ball off his chest and put it into the lower left corner on an assist from sophomore Tchamy Dantse Dantse after he corralled the ball off a corner kick.

Dantse Dantse made it 2-0 right before the close of the first half, in the 40th minute, when he headed in a corner kick by Anders Vest-Hansen.

Vest-Hansen set up the final goal as well finding Martin Lukaschik in the 86th minute.

Princeton started to come together in the second half, sparked by substitutes Jack Hilger and Nico Hurtado. The Tigers were able to get themselves five corners and didn’t give one up to FDU. On defense senior captain Billy McGuinness and senior Patrick O’Neil helped to limit the Knights' scoring chances, allowing just five shots on goal on 13 chances. Senior goalkeeper Seth MacMillian made two saves in his first start of 2013.

Breaking down the numbers: Princeton led in corner kicks 7-3, FDU was called for offsides six times to Princeton’s zero and fouls were even at 11-11.

Princeton will face another in-state opponent next Friday, Sept. 13 when it travels to Rutgers for an 8 p.m., contest.