Box Score
Poughkeepsie, NY (Sept. 3, 2011) – The Culinary Institute of America rebounded from an early deficit to edge visiting Purchase in the Panthers' season opener Saturday.
CIA (1-0) captured a 2-1 victory after trailing 1-0 early. Purchase (0-1) struck first in the opening period behind newcomer Blaise Bourgeois (SO/Rochester, NY), who put home a pass from standout returner Robert Acosta (JR/Queens, NY) for a 1-0 lead. The duo connected in the 25th minute of the first before CIA came back 10 minutes into the second half and evened the score.
The Panthers struggled early in the second half, especially with up-and-comer Dan Moallem (SO/New Rochelle, NY) sidelined by injury.
With Moallem down, the Panthers surrendered the go-ahead goal to Rob Chambers. CIA tied the game on a Pablo Noriega score and Chambers' second half goal wound up being the game winner for the hosts.
"We had very good momentum throughout the game and had much more possession than our opponent, but they took advantage of one of our key players having to come out to score on us quickly," said top assistant and acting head coach Lonny Unger. "We had several good chances in the last 10 minutes but couldn't find the back of the net."
CIA finished with 11 shots, while Purchase totaled seven in defeat. Goalkeeper David Kurzweil (SR/Bedford, NY) recorded seven saves in defeat.
Up next for the Panthers will be another non-conference matchup in John Jay. The Panthers resume their schedule following the Labor Day Weekend break and will take on John Jay on 9/10.
