WEST POINT, N.Y. - Princeton (7-1) continued their impressive run with a 2-0 victory over Army West Point (3-3-4) on Tuesday evening at Clinton Field, extending their winning streak to six matches. The Tigers controlled possession throughout much of the contest, earning their fourth clean sheet of the season.
Both teams created early opportunities, with Jackson Martin testing the Army goalkeeper in the first minute with a shot on goal. Bardia Hormozi followed with two dangerous attempts in the 2nd and 10th minutes, while Army's Ronald Zhai and Jubril Bamgbala responded with shots of their own before the 7th minute mark.
The first half saw Princeton establish their attacking rhythm, generating seven shot attempts. Kevin Kelley forced a save in the 8th minute, while Hormozi continued to threaten with multiple attempts on goal. Army's defense, anchored by Curtis Boozer who received a yellow card in the 33rd minute for unsporting behavior, held firm despite sustained pressure from the Tigers' attack.
Princeton maintained their offensive momentum after the break, with tactical substitutions proving crucial. The Tigers made several key changes around the 58th minute, bringing fresh legs into the attack. Brantley Wigginton provided Army's best chance of the second half in the 62nd minute, but his low shot couldn't find the target. Jackson Martin nearly extended Princeton's lead with two late attempts in the 84th and 85th minutes.
The statistical breakdown favored Princeton, who outshot Army 11-10 overall, though Army managed more shots on target (5-4). The Tigers earned two corner kicks to Army's four, while maintaining disciplined play with no yellow cards compared to Army's one caution. Princeton's goalkeeper recorded five crucial saves to preserve the clean sheet, while Army's netminder made two stops.
Bardia Hormozi stood out for Princeton with multiple dangerous attempts throughout the match, while Jackson Martin's late-game presence created consistent problems for Army's defense. On the defensive end, Army's Owen Ennis showed resilience despite the sustained pressure, making several crucial interventions to keep his team in the contest.
The tactical battle showcased Princeton's ability to control possession and create opportunities through patient buildup play. Army's defensive organization proved effective for long stretches, but ultimately couldn't prevent the Tigers from finding the decisive breakthrough. The Black Knights' counter-attacking strategy produced several promising moments, particularly through Wigginton and Zhai's efforts.
This victory continues Princeton's impressive form, having won six straight matches including crucial victories over Seton Hall and Harvard in their previous outings. For Army, the result marks their second consecutive defeat following a 3-1 loss to American, though their defensive organization showed improvement despite the outcome.
Looking ahead, Princeton will aim to maintain their momentum when they host Brown on October 4th at 4:00 PM, while Army West Point looks to bounce back on the road against Bucknell on October 4th at 7:00 PM. The Tigers' defensive solidity and attacking efficiency suggest they'll be formidable opponents in upcoming Ivy League competition, while Army showed enough quality to remain competitive in their conference schedule despite this setback.