PRINCETON, NEW JERSEY — Duke pulled off a stunning upset, downing third-ranked Princeton 2-1 on Sunday afternoon in front of 2,303 fans at Princeton's home stadium. The Blue Devils, riding a two-game winning streak, broke through late to secure the victory in what became a tightly contested NCAA Division I matchup between two teams with vastly different tournament trajectories.
Princeton struck first when Jack Hunt found the back of the net in the 33rd minute, giving the Tigers what appeared to be a commanding position. The home side controlled much of the first half, generating chances through Bardia Hormozi and Daniel Ittycheria, though Duke's defense managed to weather the pressure. The opening 45 minutes reflected Princeton's dominance in possession, but Duke remained dangerous on the counter-attack despite trailing at the break.
The second half proved decisive. Kenan Hot equalized for Duke in the 70th minute, capitalizing on a setup from Ulfur Bjornsson and Kamran Acito to level the match. The goal shifted momentum entirely, energizing the visitors and forcing Princeton into a defensive posture. Princeton's Daniel Ittycheria received a red card shortly after, reducing the Tigers to 10 men and fundamentally altering the match's complexion.
Playing with a numerical advantage, Duke pressed relentlessly. Leonardo D'Ambrosio delivered the decisive blow in the 86th minute, securing the 2-1 victory with a clinical finish that sent the Blue Devils through. The goal capped a remarkable second-half performance that showcased Duke's resilience and ability to capitalize when opportunities presented themselves.
Duke finished with 15 shot attempts to Princeton's 16, though both teams managed five shots on goal. The visitors earned four corner kicks compared to Princeton's seven, yet converted their chances more efficiently when it mattered most. Duke's goalkeeper made four saves while Princeton's keeper recorded three, reflecting the competitive nature of the encounter.
Kenan Hot emerged as a standout performer for Duke, scoring the crucial equalizer that shifted the match's trajectory. Leonardo D'Ambrosio's composure in the final moments proved equally vital, delivering the winner when the pressure was at its peak. For Princeton, Jack Hunt's opening goal showcased the Tigers' attacking prowess, though the team couldn't maintain its early dominance against a determined Duke side.
The upset demonstrates Duke's attacking depth and ability to respond under pressure, particularly after falling behind to a nationally-ranked opponent. Princeton, which had won its previous two matches convincingly, couldn't overcome the adversity of playing down a man in the final stages. The loss snapped the Tigers' winning streak and marked a dramatic conclusion to what had been a dominant tournament run.
Duke advances with momentum, having now won consecutive matches in the tournament. The victory showcases the unpredictability of knockout soccer, where a single moment—or in this case, a red card and clinical finishing—can alter everything. For Princeton, the early exit will sting after establishing itself as one of the nation's elite programs this season.