Heffernan Scores as Men's Soccer Falls in Home Opener

Thursday, September 8

Princeton, NJ

7:00 PM

Princeton University

0-2

St. John's

2-1-1

St. John's

Princeton

Junior Harry Heffernan scored in the 2nd minute for the Tigers.

Heffernan Scores as Men's Soccer Falls in Home Opener

September 08, 2016 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Princeton junior Harry Heffernan scored the first goal of 2016 season just 1:05 into the game but the Tigers wouldn't be able to hang on to the lead as the men's soccer team lost to St. John's 3-1 in the home opener tonight on Myslik Field at Roberts Stadium.

"There were a lot of questions marks at the start of the game with the lineup being a bit different - with some injuries and the guys red carded we had to shuffle things around and we got off to a good start," Princeton head coach Jim Barlow said. "You could tell St. John's has more games under their belt than we do. We hit a bit of of a wall about 25 minutes into the first half but we managed to get through it without conceding too many dangerous chances. Getting to halftime with a lead was good and I think we started the second half well too and had a couple really good chances to get that second goal, which if we get that we're in good shape. When you're up a goal in the second half, you can't give up three bad goals and we gave up three bad goals."

Making his first career start, Heffernan notched his second career goal with help from seniors Vikram Pothuri and Brian Costa to give the Tigers the super early lead. Pothrui had a beautiful heel flick towards the goal where Heffernan took full advantage of being wide open on right side of the 18-yard box. Princeton nearly had a two-goal lead in the 21st minute when it took its first corner kick but a team save by St. John's kept it 1-0.

Princeton continued to push forward as defender Mark Romanowski put the ball in a good spot for Will Lentz who checked off the bench as striker, but the shot was saved by Andrew Withers in the 52nd. Withers started the second half and finished the game with four saves to earn the win. Michael Bernardi played the first half and allowed the only shot on goal he saw.

Sophomore Jeremy Colvin had a number of chances including one that went just inches above the crossbar in the 58th.

St. John's Alistair Johnston knotted the game in the 66th minute after the ball pinballed around in the box.

Freshman Benjamin Martin tried to quickly regain the lead for the Tigers with a blast from the left side but the oustretched glove of Withers at the right post prevented it.

Mauricio Rivas gave the Johnnies the lead in the 72nd minutes after some miscues in the box. It was launched in by Ben Roth and Josh Haberman went down to make the stop but it was kicked away by Filippo Ricupati as he had to fight off defender Patrick Barba and the loose ball was found by Rivas for the 2-1 lead. Mike Prosuk pushed the lead to 3-1 when he split the defense and knocked in a Harry Cooksley pass on the right side in the 84th.

Shots were even at 13-13 with Haberman making six saves. Corner kicks were also even at 4-4.

Princeton continues its three-game homestand on Tuesday when it hosts Rider at 7 p.m.