Lakers Dominate in Regular Season Finale, Secure #3 Seed in Region III Playoffs

BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Finger Lakes Community College men's soccer team ended their regular season on a high note, cruising to an 8-0 win over Erie Community College on Wednesday, October 16th. With the victory, the Lakers improved to 13-3-3 overall and 3-1-2 in conference play. This win extends their win streak to nine straight matches and solidifies their spot as the #3 seed in the NJCAA Region III North B District bracket. Ranked #9 in NJCAA Division III, the Lakers are primed for a strong postseason run.

Robin Giesing (Essen, Germany/Gymnasium-Essen-Werden) led the charge with a hat trick and an assist, while Joao Antonio Rocha (Sergipe, Brazil/Colegio Master) continued his stellar form, adding two goals and an assist. Ben Domann (Wuppertal, Germany/Gesamtschule Barmen) and Daniel Ojedayo (Ibadan, Nigeria/Opicc) each found the back of the net, with Carlos Aguiar (Sergipe, Brazil/Colegio Amadeus) and Carl Pontin (Sunshine Coast, Australia/Mountain Creek State) contributing assists in a dominant team effort.

Defensively, Aiden Nelson (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) notched his fourth clean sheet of the season with two saves, as the Lakers' backline held Erie to minimal opportunities. The defense, anchored by Bernardo Reffiel Del Castel (Sergipe, Brazil/Pro-Mundo), Oriol Guzman (Barcelona, Spain/Institut Marti Pous), and Owen Schuessler (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua Academy), helped hold the Erie Kats at bay.

As the regular season concludes, the Lakers are in prime position heading into the postseason. With a nine-game win streak, they'll host the #6 Jefferson Cannoneers on Wednesday, October 23rd at the FLCC Multi-use Turf Facility at 6 PM.

The Lakers' balance of offensive firepower and defensive discipline has them poised for a deep playoff run as they set their sights on a Region III title. The team boasts an impressive mark of 103 goals scored this season, led by Ben Domann with 19; the third most in NJCAA Division III. Sophomore Joao Antonio Rocha has been a key component in the team's success, boasting a stat line of 12 goals and 24 assists this season; the latter leading NJCAA Division III.

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