PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY — #1 Princeton defeated #2 Cornell 2-0 on Sunday in the 2025 Ivy League Championship match before 1,513 spectators at home. The Tigers extended their winning streak to five consecutive victories while handing the Big Red their first loss in three games, a result that underscored Princeton's dominance among the conference's elite programs.
Sam Vigilante opened the scoring in the 42nd minute, assisted by Liam Beckwith, giving Princeton an early advantage in a tightly contested first half. The goal came after sustained pressure from the home side, though Cornell mounted consistent offensive threats throughout the opening 45 minutes. The Big Red generated 19 shot attempts but managed only three on target, a disparity that foreshadowed their second-half struggles.
Beckwith added the insurance goal in the 87th minute, with Vigilante and Daniel Ittycheria credited with the assist, effectively sealing the championship for the Tigers. The late strike came as Cornell pressed forward desperately in search of a breakthrough, leaving defensive vulnerabilities that Princeton exploited. By that point, the outcome had been decided through Princeton's superior efficiency in front of goal.
Princeton's defense proved stingy throughout, recording three saves while limiting Cornell to minimal clear-cut opportunities. The Tigers' goalkeeper made crucial stops when needed, though Cornell's shot selection often favored attempts from distance rather than high-percentage chances. Princeton's backline, anchored by defenders including Tyler Vilet and Dash Papez, maintained shape and discipline despite Cornell's numerical advantage in total shots.
Cornell's attacking efforts, led by Adam Schaban and Campbell Reece, generated volume but lacked precision. Schaban fired multiple attempts that sailed high or wide, while Reece's efforts similarly failed to trouble the Princeton goalkeeper. The Big Red's inability to convert their territorial advantage into scoring opportunities proved decisive, as they managed only three shots on goal across 90 minutes.
Princeton's midfield controlled possession through much of the match, with Jack Jasinski and Jackson Martin orchestrating play before Martin's substitution in the 64th minute. The Tigers' balanced approach allowed them to absorb Cornell's pressure while maintaining dangerous counterattacking opportunities. This tactical discipline reflected the difference between the two programs' current trajectories, with Princeton (15-1-2) maintaining elite form while Cornell (13-3-2) struggled to find rhythm.
The match featured minimal disciplinary issues, with only Connor Miller receiving a yellow card for unsporting conduct in the 82nd minute. Both teams made strategic substitutions to manage fatigue and adjust tactics, though neither side's changes significantly altered the match's trajectory once Princeton established its lead.
Princeton's victory capped a dominant championship run, having defeated #4 Harvard 3-1 in the previous round before this convincing performance against the conference's second-ranked program. The Tigers' five-game winning streak and unbeaten home record demonstrate their credentials as national championship contenders entering the NCAA Tournament selection process. Cornell's loss, meanwhile, marked a significant stumble for a program that had won its previous match against #3 Penn but could not replicate that form against the nation's top-ranked team.