HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA - Bardia Hormozi needed just 53 minutes to write the story of James Madison's desperate bid for their first win in seven matches, but Princeton's Aidan Melville had other plans, scoring just 55 seconds earlier to keep the Tigers undefeated in conference play before 1,047 fans at Sentara Park.
The early second-half goal by Melville, assisted by Brock Frasier and Milo Wray, set off a frenetic sequence of events that saw both teams create scoring opportunities. James Madison responded with Hormozi's equalizer, assisted by Jack Jasinski, just 55 seconds later, epitomizing the back-and-forth nature of the match.
The first half unfolded as a tactical chess match, with Princeton controlling possession through their midfield trio of Frasier, Wray, and Ethan Katz. The Tigers orchestrated 13 of their 23 total shots in the opening 45 minutes, with eight attempts coming from outside the penalty area. James Madison, meanwhile, focused on defensive solidity, marshaling their backline to limit Princeton's clear chances.
Despite Princeton's dominance in shot attempts, James Madison's goalkeeper, Alex Rodriguez, faced only five shots on target in the first half, with none proving particularly troublesome. The Dukes, on the other hand, managed to create a few half-chances through counter-attacks, though their finishing was lacking. The most promising opportunity fell to Hormozi in the 31st minute, but his effort sailed wide.
The introduction of substitute forward, Ryan Thompson, for James Madison in the 60th minute injected new energy into the Dukes' attack. Thompson's pace and movement caused problems for Princeton's defense, forcing them to commit more players forward. Princeton, however, continued to press high up the pitch, looking to regain control of the game.
As the match wore on, both teams began to tire, and the intensity of the pressing decreased. The statistical ledger reveals that Princeton outshot James Madison 23-9 overall, with a commanding 9-6 advantage in shots on target. The Tigers also held a significant advantage in corner kicks, earning 17 opportunities to James Madison's three.
The draw extends Princeton's unbeaten streak to nine matches, maintaining their perfect conference record. For James Madison, the result means they remain winless in their last seven matches, struggling to find consistency. The Dukes will look to bounce back against Marshall next, while Princeton travels to face Columbia.
The afternoon belonged to the attackers, with Melville and Hormozi stealing the show. The equalizer by Hormozi was a crucial moment for James Madison, showing their ability to respond under pressure. As both teams move forward, they will look to build on the positives from this thrilling encounter.
Key Players:
Aidan Melville (Princeton) – Slotted home a perfectly weighted through ball from Brock Frasier and Milo Wray to keep Princeton's unbeaten streak alive.
Bardia Hormozi (James Madison) – Equalized with a clinical finish, assisted by Jack Jasinski, to keep James Madison's slim hopes alive.
Brock Frasier (Princeton) – Orchestrated Princeton's attack with intelligent positioning and distribution, creating multiple scoring chances.
Alex Rodriguez (James Madison) – Made eight saves, including five in the second half, to deny Princeton a victory and earn a crucial point for the Dukes.