Box Score

Purchase, NY (Sept. 17, 2011) – Rookie Stefan Gohler certainly has a flair for the dramatic. In a tightly contested affair Saturday afternoon at Purchase, the newcomer's first career goal was of the game-winning variety.
 
Gohler (FR/Brooklyn, NY) provided the afternoon's only goal with 14:43 remaining in the second half as the Panthers held on for a thrilling 1-0 victory over visiting City College of New York. The first goal of the Purchase midfielder's collegiate career will not be forgotten anytime soon.
 
On a day when shots were hard to come by, Gohler dribbled in, beat his defender and blasted the go-ahead score in the left, top shelf of the net. The Panther defense would then go into keep away mode, sealing the win over the final 14 minutes.
 
CCNY would not go quietly, though. Purchase goalkeeper David Kurzweil (SR/Bedford, NY) made a handful of saves, including a beautiful stop at 12:58 that kept the Panthers in the lead. Kurzweil would make a few key stops down the stretch en route to six saves on the afternoon.
 
The Panthers and Beavers went toe-to-toe in the early going, matching physicality and aggressive defensive play. Captain Shomari Dias (West Hempstead, NY) shined in the first half, leading the Panthers in an up-and-down, hi-paced contest.
 
Midfielder Danny Moallem (SO/New Rochelle, NY) also played well in the first half – one that was marred by several fouls and several off-side calls.  
 
In perhaps a moment of foreshadowing, Gohler provided the game's first legitimate scoring threat, blasting a shot at 21:00 that City's goalkeeper Tayfun Kucuk saved, preserving the scoreless tie midway through the opening period. Earlier in the first, CCNY recorded its first shot on goal off a corner kick, but the Purchase netminder, Kurzweil, quickly rejected the attempt, setting the tone for a tenacious defensive game.
 
In similar fashion, Kurzweil also made an incredible short-hop save on a dead-on, line drive shot with :28 seconds to go in the first. The senior keeper also made an early save in the second half that kept the game scoreless.
 
With Purchase and CCNY deadlocked in a 0-0 game, the Beavers did a better job of applying more pressure on the offensive side, early in the second half. City recorded a few shots on goal in the first five minutes of the second, but Kurzweil and the Panther defense responded, pushing back defensively. 
 
Dan Villegas (SO/Queens, NY), who was injured midway through the first, returned from a twisted ankle in the second half and made a difference in the midfield for the Panthers.
 
Although the Panthers struggled to find their first opportunity of the second half, standout newcomer Blaise Bourgeois (SO/Rochester, NY) turned in that first golden chance around the 30 minute marker, highlighting more to come from the Purchase offense. Bourgeois, who had scored in the two previous games, came up just short, albeit on another great effort around the net.
 
The Panther attack improved as City showed some sign of wear in the second half. That's when Golher took full advantage and became the hero of Purchase's home-opening win.
 
Gohler's goal led to a huge celebration at midfield – one that re-ensued when the clock struck 0:00.  
 
Purchase will now embark on a four-game road trip beginning at Sarah Lawrence on Sept. 20. The Panthers will then travel to conference rivals Yeshiva and MSMC before wrapping their road trip at Brooklyn College on Sept. 26. The Panthers then return home for three straight starting at the end of the month and leading into early October.