Box Score
Purchase, NY (Oct. 19, 2013) – Six seniors were recognized pregame Saturday as the Panthers honored a valuable core of upperclassmen that helped transition the program into a contender this fall.
Unfortunately for Purchase, the only downer for the day was the outcome of the game itself as visiting SUNY Maritime won a nail bitter, 1-0.
As for the festivities, Sports Information Director Bobby Ciafardini MCed the brief ceremony, which included parents, extended family and friends of each of the seniors at midfield. With the coaches looking on and surrounded by relatives and loved ones, the seniors were remembered for their achievements and accolades.
The seniors received plaques, with team photos encased inside, from head coach James Bruno that read, "In Unity There is Strength" – this season's rally call. The seniors also received certificates of merit and appreciation from the SID office and will once again be honored in May, when the program hosts its annual awards banquet and dinner.
Senior Chris Beckett (SR/Yorktown Heights, NY), Michael Beckett (SR/Yorktown Heights, NY), Danny Moallem (SR/New Rochelle, NY), Enderson Mhilli (SR/Rye, NY), Blaise Bourgeois (SR/Rochester, NY) and Stefan Gohler (SR/Brooklyn, NY) were all honored. The Beckett brothers were remembered for their versatility, with Chris being recognized for his captainship and tough defense, and Michael his flexibilty in playing multiple positions and overcoming injuries to do it. Bourgeois and Gohler, both former All-Skyline selections, helped transform the program offensively and led the Panthers back to contention, while Mhilli and Moallem anchored the defense that has garnered plenty of attention this fall.
Enderson was joined by his mom, Miranda; Blaise was escorted onto the field by his mom, Carol Ann; the Becketts were honored on the field with their parents, Paul and Lynn; Danny took the field with his mom and dad, Ilan and Betty and his grandmother Terry; and Stefan was joined by his mom, Wanda.
The pregame ceremony set the tone for a hard-fought matchup with both teams still in the postseason hunt. The Panthers came into the today in third place in the conference standings, narrowly trailing Sage and Mount Saint Mary. Although Maritime only had one conference win and one conference tie coming in, the Privateers are battling for one of the final postseason berths. Today's victory went along way in the standings for them.
Meanwhile, the Panthers now move into a tie for third place at 4-2-1 in the league. Purchase is 7-5-2 overall. Maritime is now 5-8-2 overall and 2-3-1 in the Skyline.
The highlight of the game came extremely early. A shade over 10 minutes in, Maritime scored off a crossed header by Kieran Donnelly, his fourth goal of the season. The ball was assisted by David Sparozic.
It was hard to believe, but the early goal stood tall the rest of the way.
The Panthers were narrowly outshot 8-7 in the first half, with Esteban Aquilar (SO/East Hampton, NY) continuing his case for top conference keeper. Despite allowing the goal, the standout recorded four saves in the opening period, including two brilliant, acrobatic stops that limited Maritime to the one, first-half goal.
Purchase's best opportunity may have come with around six and a half minutes left on a cross in front of the goal by Myles Clohessy (SO/Cornwall, CT). The Maritime defense also blocked two shots on goal in front of keeper Karl Weber over the final 45 minutes.
Weber earned the win in goal for Maritime. He made seven saves. Aguilar finished with four in defeat.
In the end, Purchase outshot Maritime 12-10 and won the corner kick margin, 7-4, but could not find the equalizer over the final 79 minutes once the Privateers broke through.
Thankfully for the Panthers, they will have a short turnaround. They play Monday at home, when Richard Stockton comes to Purchase for a 4 p.m. start.
