Box Score

Purchase, NY (Oct. 25, 2011) – Tonight's loss withstanding, Purchase men's soccer utilized a fierce non-conference opponent and old friend to gear up for Thursday's win-and-in showdown with SUNY Maritime – a rescheduled matchup from an earlier rainout that now stands between the Panthers and the final playoff spot in the Skyline Conference Tournament.
 
Entering Tuesday's contest with visiting Bard College, a former Skyline foe that joined the Liberty League this fall, the Panthers were simply preparing for their next matchup while positioned outside the top six playoff-bound teams. Purchase sits in seventh place. The top six teams will advance to the postseason.
 
Although Purchase would drop the game 5-0, the Panthers may look back in a few days and appreciate the hard-fought contest the Raptors provided, especially if it serves as the tune-up the program had hoped for in gearing up for the Privateers.
 
The Panthers were without their two top scorers Tuesday – and it was noticeable. With standouts Stefan Gohler (FR/Brooklyn, NY) and Blaise Bourgeois (SO/Rochester, NY) held out following another yellow card for each in the last game, Purchase moved forward down two key players in the midfield and upfront. The lack of scoring punch was evident, but several reserves played admirably in their absence. In addition, Purchase's Dylan Hyman (FR/San Francisco, CA) got the start in goal and played well. The score may not have reflected it, but Hyman made several dazzling stops, including a few late saves in the second half.  
 
As for Gohler and Bourgeois, they will return Thursday when the Privateers come to the turf for a 7 p.m. start.
 
Purchase is hoping for a better start Thursday. The Raptors stole the Panthers' thunder Tuesday, starting strong and never looking back. They scored three first-half goals, including a pair from standout forward Jacob Hartog. Jonah Peterschild scored the game's first goal for the Raptors. Bard added two second-half scores, the first off the foot of Eliot Thompson and the final from Hartog – his third of the game – that capped the scoring. Hartog finished the night with a hat trick.  
 
With tonight's game already squarely behind the Panthers, Purchase turns its attention to the regular season finale. To add some buzz to the evening, Thursday's game will also be Senior Night. Four seniors will be recognized before the game. Fans are encouraged to come out and support the Panthers in their quest for the playoffs.