Men’s Soccer Searches for First Ivy Win

Columbia men’s soccer is looking to pick up its first Ivy League victory this Saturday in New Jersey against the Princeton Tigers.

The Lions are hoping to rebound after a tough loss in their conference opener to Penn last weekend that saw Penn score three goals within a span of 20 minutes. Columbia jumped out to an early lead with freshman Bayo Adafin’s first collegiate goal in the 30th minute. However, Penn struck back with a goal from midfielder Alex Grendi in the 51st minute to tie the score at 1-1. Quaker forward Mike Klein then scored twice to give Penn a 3-1 lead that they would not relinquish, dropping the Lions to 2-6-1 overall and 0-1-0 in the league.

Princeton (2-7-1) comes into the match having dropped their conference opener against Brown last Saturday in Providence, R.I. in similar fashion. After Tiger midfielder Teddy Schneider scored early in the second half, Brown rallied back with a goal from sophomore Chris Roland to send the game into overtime. The Bears sealed a 2-1 victory with midfielder Nick Elenz-Martin’s game-ending goal.

The Lions will be led by Hayden Johns and Tom Smith, who both have two goals apiece on the season thus far. Their veteran leadership will be vital in helping Columbia on Saturday and throughout the rest of the season. Adafin has also served as a catalyst for the offense with his raw talent—having his presence on the field will help give the Lions a chance to get their first win against Princeton since 2002.

Columbia must find a way to revert back to the defense it was playing three weeks ago, when the Lions recorded three consecutive shutouts. The Light Blue will have to be particularly wary of opponents finding space from just outside the 18-yard box—Penn scored twice from that distance last Saturday.

The match will be the second of a two-game doubleheader with the women’s game at 1 p.m. The men’s match is set to start at 4 p.m. in Princeton Stadium.