September 30, 2024
Men’s Soccer Extends Streak with Thrilling Comeback Win
By Logan Weingartner
CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. - A second-half surge lifted the Finger Lakes Community College men's soccer team to a statement win over the Bobcats of Bryant & Stratton Rochester, 3-2. The Lakers closed out September on a hot streak as they have won five in a row, with a strong record of 9-3-3.
The scoring commenced quickly, with the first goal just five minutes into the contest. The swift strike came from Joao Antonio Rocha (Sergipe, Brazil/Colegio Master), knocking it through off an impressive feed from Gary Cooper (Rochester, N.Y,/Greece Arcadia).
The Lakers were able to hold off the opposition for some time, but the equalizer was eventually scored by the Bobcats at 12'. They were able to slip another one through right before the half, boasting a 1-goal advantage heading into the break.
The second half started slow for the Lakers, but things picked up at 68' when Ben Domann (Wuppertal, Germany/Gesamtschule Barmen) found the back of the net to bring the score 2 all. The assist came from Ben Berger (Weil am Rhein, Germany/Kaufmannische Schule Lorrach), who would find himself flipping roles a minute later, as he netted the go-ahead goal to give the Lakers a 3-2 lead at 69'. The connecting pass came from Gary Cooper, who found his 2nd assist of the night and led the team in that department.
The defense fired on all cylinders throughout the match. A spectacular stop inches away from the net by freshman Owen Schuessler (Canandaigua, N.Y/Canandaigua) in the first half was critical in mitigating the Bobcats attack, and it was a clean representation of how the defense performed as a whole unit. Keepers Aiden Nelson (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) and Harry Eastwick (Christchurch, New Zealand/St. Thomas of Canterbury College) split time evenly in the net, each holding their own during their respective halves.
The Lakers will continue their homestand on Saturday, October 5th, when they welcome SUNY Broome Community College to the multi-use turf for a faceoff at 1 PM.