Daniel Ittycheria needed just 30 minutes and 58 seconds to write the story of Princeton's 2-0 victory over Columbia, slotting home his first goal before rifling in his second in the 86th minute, assisted by Ian Nunez, before a crowd of 1,542 at Princeton Stadium.
The early breakthrough set the tone for what became a defensive chess match, with the Tigers marshaling their defense to absorb Columbia's limited attacks. Princeton's goalkeeper made eight saves to preserve the shutout, while the Tigers' offense controlled the game with 22 shot attempts.
Columbia struggled to create scoring chances, managing only seven shot attempts across 90 minutes, with none finding their way on target—a damning statistic that encapsulates their offensive struggles. The Lions' inability to threaten Princeton's goal allowed the Tigers to dictate the pace of the game, with midfielder Jack Harris orchestrating the attack with incisive passes that split the Columbia defense.
The first half saw Princeton dominate possession, with Ittycheria and Harris leading the charge. The Tigers' forward line commanded the attention of Columbia's defenders, creating space for Nunez to thread passes through to Ittycheria, who finished clinically in the 31st minute. Columbia's best chance of the half came in the 40th minute when substitute Alex Chen's shot from distance was comfortably saved by Princeton's goalkeeper.
The second half saw Princeton continue to control the game, with Ittycheria doubling the Tigers' lead in the 86th minute. Nunez's through ball unlocked the Columbia defense, allowing Ittycheria to finish with composure. The Lions pushed for a consolation goal but couldn't produce a single shot on target, epitomizing their afternoon.
The statistical ledger reveals a comprehensive Princeton performance: the Tigers outshot Columbia 22-7 overall and held a commanding 10-0 advantage in shots on target. Princeton also edged the corner-kick battle 13-4, though neither team capitalized on their set-piece opportunities. The Lions' wasteful finishing was highlighted by their inability to convert any of their seven shot attempts.
The victory represents more than three points for Princeton; it cements their position as conference frontrunners with a 10-1-1 record and a perfect 4-0 conference record. The Tigers will look to maintain their momentum against Bryant next. For Columbia, the loss extends their losing streak to four games, exposing offensive deficiencies that must be addressed ahead of their Harvard matchup.
Looking ahead, the paths diverge sharply for these two teams. Princeton will look to build on their defensive solidity and attacking flair, while Columbia must regroup and address their scoring woes. The afternoon belonged to Princeton—and specifically to Daniel Ittycheria, whose brace will be remembered for weeks to come.
Key Players:
Daniel Ittycheria (Princeton) – The Tigers' forward showed ruthless efficiency, converting both of his chances with clinical finishes that left Columbia's defense grasping.
Ian Nunez (Princeton) – Orchestrated Princeton's attack with precise distribution, creating multiple scoring chances through his intelligent playmaking.
Jack Harris (Princeton) – Controlled the midfield battle with intelligent positioning and distribution, constantly finding teammates in space and dictating Princeton's possession-based approach.
Alex Chen (Columbia) – The Lions' substitute showed flashes of brilliance, forcing Princeton's goalkeeper to make a crucial save in the 40th minute.