PHILADELPHIA — No. 1 Penn and No. 3 Princeton advanced to the title game of the Ivy League Men's Soccer Tournament as Friday's semifinals were full of drama and excitement.
No. 1 Penn and No. 4 Brown got the tournament started in the afternoon in what was a rematch of last year's semifinal that saw the Bears topple the Quakers. This year, however, Penn got its revenge, defeating Brown, 2-1, in extra time.
In what was an even first half, Brown got the scoring started with a goal midway through the first half credited to
Jack Cloherty. The Bears remained in front throughout the rest of the 20-plus minutes to take a 1-0 lead into the break.
Penn would answer back shortly into the second half, however, as
Jack Ryan Jeremiah converted from the penalty spot, beating Brown's goalkeeper to his left.
Both teams had chances to score the game-winning goal throughout the second half and extra time, but ultimately, Penn's Oliver Pratt scored the game-winner in the first period of extra time with a left-footed strike from outside the box.
The next game of the day featured goals galore as No. 2 Cornell and No. 3 Princeton combined for five goals that ended with Daniel Ittycheria's game-winning header in extra time.
Cornell got the scoring started with a pair of goals midway through the first half as Ivy League Co-Offensive Player of the Year
Alex Harris and
Danny Lokko put the Big Red in front 2-0.
However, Princeton responded shortly thereafter as
Daniel Ittycheria's header from a corner kick put Princeton back within one goal heading into the second half.
After a back and forth second half,
Nico Nee's left-footed shot in the dying moments of regulation tied it up a two apiece to send the game in extra time.
From there, Princeton took control of the contest, having multiple chances before Ittycheria's headed effort gave the Tigers their third goal of the game.
No. 1 Penn and No. 3 Princeton will meet up in Sunday's championship game on Sunday, November 17 at 1 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.