Men’s Soccer – Lakers Topple Jefferson in Regular Season Finale, 5-1

WATERTOWN, NY. – The Lakers headed north on Tuesday looking to cap off what has been considered a solid finish to the end of their regular season schedule. Finger Lakes (9-9-3, 3-2-1) marvelous run of playing great team soccer lived on yesterday as it picked up a 5-1 road win over Jefferson CC (conference member). With the victory, the Lakers peeled off a 5-0-2 record in their final seven regular season games. The win also put them over the .500 mark in their conference. FLCC, as shown, compiled a 3-2-1 record in the MSAC in 2012.

The Lakers controlled the tempo along with the ball for a majority of the conference contest. Outshooting the Cannoneers 15-5 yesterday, Finger Lakes picked up one goal in the first half along with four additional helpers post intermission. Jake Roth was responsible for the lone score of the first half. The Laker found the back of Jefferson's net at minute 16 – thanks to a Gayang Ayol pass.

After Roth's goal was had, the game would remain scoreless until the 46th minute. At that juncture is when Lakers defender Clayton Lovelace found the netting in the Cannoneers goal. Assisting his score was Brandon Zaov.

The game's next two goals were had by FLCC freshman Connor Jackson. He scored the Lakers 4th and 5th goals of the meeting in a rapid fashion. His scores were recorded at minutes 58 and 60. On the passing end of them (in order) were Michael Cooper and Lovelace.

After Jackson's second goal was put in the books, FLCC, who led Jefferson – 4-nil, was countered with a goal by the Cannoneers at minute 65.

The Lakers then answered Jefferson's marker with a marker of their own – in the game's 71st minute. The individual responsible for scoring it was Michael Maynard. On the distributing end of it was Emanuel Rivers-Hardware. Hardware's helper closed out the 5-goal game for the visitors.

FLCC keepers Shane Bly and Matthew MacKerchar both shared time in the crease on Tuesday. Bly, who played 68 minutes in between the crossbars and MacKerchar, who stood in goal for 22 minutes, both picked up one save in the win.

With the loss, Jefferson concluded its 2012 regular season with a record of 3-11-2 (0-2-1 MSAC).

Finger Lakes, who began the season with a 0-4-1 record after its first five games, played some inspired soccer after its sluggish start to 2012. They will look to continue to ride the momentum that they sustained in the home stretch of the season by carrying it over into postseason play. The Lakers, who have not yet learned who they will be playing in their first contest of the NJCAA Region III Division III playoffs, will be seeded and matched up with their first round opponent later this week. The information regarding their place (along with their opponent) in the playoffs will be released on flccathletics.com upon further notice.