PRINCETON, N.J. – Playing in its fifth overtime match of the season, the Cornell men's soccer team drew with Princeton on Saturday, Nov. 2 as the score stood at 1-1 after 110 minutes of Ivy League soccer action. Senior John Scearce scored the equalizing goal for the Big Red in the second half, scoring on a diving header in the box to even the score.
Cornell (8-5-2, 1-2-2 Ivy League) narrowly out-shot the Tigers on Saturday, 19-18 overall, and 8-6 in shots on goal. Princeton (10-3-2, 2-1-2 Ivy League) had the better looks in overtime with a 7-2 shot advantage over both stanzas. Both teams had solid play between the pipes, with senior Ryan Shellow back in action for Cornell. Shellow made five saves to the seven made by Princeton keeper Jack Roberts.
Princeton took an early 1-0 lead over Cornell with a goal in the 8th minute. A long cross from the Tigers found the head of Walker Gillespie, whose mid-air spin put enough rotation on the ball to push it over the goal line.
Cornell's relentless offensive attack saw two opportunities late in the first half, first on a corner kick by junior Harry Fuller. Fuller's kick was received by Scearce and headed high of the goal by junior Charles Touche. In the final moments of the half, sophomore Jonah Kagen nearly scored on a volley, but his attempt was swatted away by Princeton goalkeeper Jack Roberts.
Cornell put continuous pressure on the Tigers defense in the second half, with that momentum shift eventually leading to the game-tying goal from Scearce in the 67th minute. Scearce's diving header was set-up by solid passes from Kagen and freshman Connor Drought. Kagen's ball to the outside set Drought up for the crossing pass.
Ninety minutes once again wasn't enough for Cornell, as the Big Red couldn't find a game-winning goal in the second half. The Big Red out-shot the Tigers 17-11 in regulation with a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal. In the second half, Cornell held a 9-7 shots advantage with three on goal.
Neither team was able to overcome strong defensive play by the other side in overtime with the match ending in a 1-1 draw. Both sides had looks they wish they had back. For Cornell, freshman Brandon Morales and Drought each had shots saved in first 30 seconds of the half. Midway through the second overtime period, Princeton had a 1-on-1 opportunity with Shellow, but the shot from Daniel Diaz Bonilla was pushed left of goal.
Up Next: Cornell is set to play its final road match of the season on Saturday, Nov. 9 when it travels to Hanover, N.H. to face Dartmouth at 1:00 p.m. Dartmouth is currently 5-6-2 overall and is tied with Princeton for second in the Ivy League with a 2-1-1 record. The Green are led by Dawson McCartney (3g-4a-10p) and goalkeeper Alex Budnik (1.29gaa, .765 sv%, 52 saves).
