Box Score

Purchase, NY (Oct. 2, 2012) – Sometimes you just have to tip your cap to the visitors.

That was the story Tuesday night at home. First-place Sage got the better of host Purchase, winning 2-0 on a first-half penalty kick and a late second-half score. The Gators narrowly edged the Panthers in a game that was arguably decided by two plays.

Purchase head coach James Quiroga said the result was disappointing, but that the overall play was encouraging, with the Panthers going toe-to-toe with a club that could easily win the league championship this fall, a year removed from advancing deep into the conference playoffs and receiving a berth in the ECACs.    

The opening 15 minutes were hard-fought and physical for both teams, with several fouls coming into play on both sides of the ball. But despite the intense backdrop, both teams – for the most part – played under control and with poise, as defense set the tempo early.

The Panthers more than held their own with powerhouse Sage, limiting the Gators' shots and matching hustle, especially in the first half, where standout defender Abraham Pajares (JR/Port Chester, NY) and midfielder and captain Dan Sanvitale (SR/Rocky Point, NY) anchored Purchase's quick-paced “D.”

Sanvitale had a nice bicycle kick block in the tightly contested first half, which was also highlighted by a fine save just under 10 minutes by Panther goalkeeper Dylan Hyman (SO/San Francisco, CA).

However, Sage would breakthrough late in the first, when a handball set up a penalty kick for Gustavo Trindad. With under six minutes remaining, Trindad scored the game's first goal on a PK in the 39th minute. The score would remain 1-0 for the rest of the first half and throughout much of the second before Sage's leading scorer, Scott Jarosz, gave the visitors some cushion, netting his 15th strike of the fall off a crisp pass straight on, 10 yards out.    

The Gator defense certainly deserves credit in the victory. Sage held Purchase to two shots as keeper TJ Zehner earned the shutout win. In the process, the Gators improved to 10-1 overall and 5-0 in the Skyline.

Undeterred by the difficult defeat, Purchase (5-3-1, 2-2-0 Skyline) returns to action Saturday against SJC-LI, as the Panthers continue their conference schedule at home with another tough opponent.

“We turn the page. We'll get right back to work,” Quiroga concluded.