BRONX, N.Y. – The Fordham men’s soccer team is gearing up for its non-conference finale on Tuesday night as they host Princeton at 7 p.m. at home. The match will be available for fans to watch on ESPN+, offering an exciting conclusion to the Rams’ non-conference schedule.
Fordham’s Momentum Heading into the Match
Fordham (6-3-4, 3-1-2) enters this match aiming to continue its strong form in October, as the team remains unbeaten in their last four outings (3-0-1). The Rams most recently secured a 3-1 victory over George Washington this past Saturday, showcasing their offensive power and resilience. With this win, Fordham has climbed to fourth place in the Atlantic 10 standings, with only two league matches left to play. The top eight teams in the conference will qualify for the Atlantic 10 Men’s Soccer Championship, and the top four teams will earn the opportunity to host quarterfinal matches.
Key Players Making an Impact
In their recent victory against George Washington, graduate student Lukas Hackaa delivered an outstanding performance, scoring two goals in the match. Hackaa’s impressive brace marked the third of his Division I career. He opened the scoring with a brilliant free-kick from 20 yards in the 49th minute before sealing the win with a long-range strike from 30 yards out in the 89th minute. Hackaa, who earned Horizon League Player of the Year honors at IUPUI, has continued to impress since joining Fordham.
In addition to Hackaa, Daniel D’Ippolito played a crucial role in the victory, scoring the game-winning goal in the 80th minute off a penalty kick rebound. D’Ippolito has been a standout player this season, with nine goals in just 13 games, placing him second in the Atlantic 10 for total goals. His strong performance has also made him the first Fordham player to score nine goals in a season since Jannik Loebe in 2017. Additionally, D’Ippolito leads the Atlantic 10 with six assists and has accumulated an impressive 24 points so far this season.
Fordham Men’s Soccer (image via Getty)Princeton’s Performance and Key Players
Princeton comes into this match after securing a 2-1 win over Columbia on Saturday, continuing their strong campaign in the Ivy League. The Tigers (6-5-0, 3-1-0) currently sit second in the Ivy League standings, trailing only No. 12-ranked Penn. Princeton’s offensive attack is led by Daniel Ittycheria, who has netted five goals this season, positioning him among the top scorers in the Ivy League.
In goal, sophomore Andrew Samuels has started the last two matches for Princeton. He boasts a solid 0.80 goals-against average and a .750 save percentage, making him a reliable presence for the Tigers between the posts.
Series History and Match Preview
This will be the fourth consecutive season in which Fordham and Princeton face-off, with the Tigers holding an undefeated record against the Rams (3-0-1). Last year, the two teams played to a 2-2 draw after Grady Kozak’s late equalizer for Fordham in the 88th minute. Despite Fordham’s strong form this season, they will be looking for their first win against Princeton, aiming to capitalize on their home-field advantage.
As the Rams prepare for this critical non-conference match, they hope to gain momentum and build confidence heading into the remainder of the season. For continuous updates and coverage of Fordham men’s soccer and college sports, stay tuned to Etruesports for the latest news and highlights.
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