VILLANOVA, Pa. – Princeton notched three goals in the game's first 38 minutes and went on to down Villanova 3-0 in a non-conference men's soccer clash on a sunny fall afternoon at the Higgins Soccer Complex.
 
"We knew this would be a challenge," said Villanova head coach Mark Fetrow. "Princeton is a very good team that was in the NCAA Tournament last season.
 
"It's a shame, because I thought we've done a good job this season of getting off to fast starts. But they started fast, they were aggressive and exposed some pockets in our defense. They got the first goal. That's not how we wanted it to go. I thought we were in a good position to come back but it kind of snowballed and spiraled on us in that half."
 
A play that began on the right sideline created the Tigers' first goal at 11:43. The ball made its way to Bardia Hormozi, just beyond the top of the 18-yard box. Hormozi fired a blast just inside the left post to put Princeton up top.
 
Sharp execution on set pieces led to the Tigers' second and third goals. A corner kick from Jack Jacinski connected with Daniel Ittycheria at the 35:24 mark. Then off a free kick feed in the 39^th minute.
 
"We just got beat within our zone," Fetrow said. "(Their) guys beat us to the front post, we weren't picking up the runners as they were coming. We have guys in there we think are really good ball winners but they got the better of us in those two situations."
 
Villanova's best scoring chance of the day came early in the second half when junior forward Sam Nyenka was fouled inside the 18-yard box. After a video review, the officials awarded the Wildcats a penalty kick. But the blast from Fyn Lahrsen to the left side, was saved by Princeton goalkeeper Andrew Samuels.
 
"We changed a few things in how we were attacking at halftime and that led to the PK," stated Fetrow. "If we had been able to get one early in the half, it would have been interesting to see how that could have changed the game."
 
Villanova goalkeeper Alex Yagudayev came up with some impressive saves of his own over the final 45 minutes. The sophomore finished the afternoon with four saves.
 
At halftime, Villanova honored members of its Soccer Alumni in a ceremony.
 
Next up for Nova is the BIG EAST Conference opener Friday against DePaul at the Higgins Soccer Complex (2 p.m./ESPN+).
 
"We'll recover (Sunday), watch the tape, have some team bonding," Fetrow said. "Luckily, we've got Monday-Thursday to really prepare for the start of Big East play. DePaul has had a good start – it hasn't been beaten yet. We've got to make sure we're prepared for that."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 VILLANOVA, Pa. – Princeton notched three goals in the game's first 38 minutes and went on to down Villanova 3-0 in a non-conference men's soccer clash on a sunny fall afternoon at the Higgins Soccer Complex.
 
"We knew this would be a challenge," said Villanova head coach Mark Fetrow. "Princeton is a very good team that was in the NCAA Tournament last season.
 
"It's a shame, because I thought we've done a good job this season of getting off to fast starts. But they started fast, they were aggressive and exposed some pockets in our defense. They got the first goal. That's not how we wanted it to go. I thought we were in a good position to come back but it kind of snowballed and spiraled on us in that half."
 
A play that began on the right sideline created the Tigers' first goal at 11:43. The ball made its way to Bardia Hormozi, just beyond the top of the 18-yard box. Hormozi fired a blast just inside the left post to put Princeton up top.
 
Sharp execution on set pieces led to the Tigers' second and third goals. A corner kick from Jack Jacinski connected with Daniel Ittycheria at the 35:24 mark. Then off a free kick feed in the 39^th minute.
 
"We just got beat within our zone," Fetrow said. "(Their) guys beat us to the front post, we weren't picking up the runners as they were coming. We have guys in there we think are really good ball winners but they got the better of us in those two situations."
 
Villanova's best scoring chance of the day came early in the second half when junior forward Sam Nyenka was fouled inside the 18-yard box. After a video review, the officials awarded the Wildcats a penalty kick. But the blast from Fyn Lahrsen to the left side, was saved by Princeton goalkeeper Andrew Samuels.
 
"We changed a few things in how we were attacking at halftime and that led to the PK," stated Fetrow. "If we had been able to get one early in the half, it would have been interesting to see how that could have changed the game."
 
Villanova goalkeeper Alex Yagudayev came up with some impressive saves of his own over the final 45 minutes. The sophomore finished the afternoon with four saves.
 
At halftime, Villanova honored members of its Soccer Alumni in a ceremony.
 
Next up for Nova is the BIG EAST Conference opener Friday against DePaul at the Higgins Soccer Complex (2 p.m./ESPN+).
 
"We'll recover (Sunday), watch the tape, have some team bonding," Fetrow said. "Luckily, we've got Monday-Thursday to really prepare for the start of Big East play. DePaul has had a good start – it hasn't been beaten yet. We've got to make sure we're prepared for that."