Box Score 

Purchase, NY (Oct. 9, 2014) – A fast start spelled victory for the Purchase College men's soccer team Thursday night at home.

Two first-half goals and plenty of defense in the second half helped the Panthers secure a 2-1 final against a feisty Sage squad.

The Panthers improved 6-5-1 overall, including 3-0-1 in the Skyline Conference in a key league matchup. The Gators, like the Panthers, came into tonight's contest unbeaten in conference play and battling for first place.

The loss dropped the Gators to 4-5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Skyline.

The first 20 minutes of action was dominated by defense and a struggle by both teams to move the ball, but the Panthers regrouped and found the net first thanks to forward Myles Clohessy (JR/Cornwall, CT), who netted his first goal of the season off an assist from fellow forward Andres Romero (SR/Port Chester, NY).

The game's opening strike, which was passed through the middle and dribbled in by Clohessy, came in the 29th minute and handed Purchase a 1-0 lead.

Roughly seven minutes later, newcomer Samvara Anello (JR/Bali, Indonesia) chipped a beautiful pass from captain Junior Sanguina (SR/White Plains, NY) beyond the outstretched arms of goalkeeper TJ Zehner.

The half ended with Purchase holding a strong two goal lead.

The Panthers went back to work in the second half, but Sage wouldn't go quietly. Derlis Zayas scored his first goal of the season on a header from Tyler Denton in the 79th minute to cut the lead to 2-1.

The final 11 minutes were filled with defensive gems and fast-paced action, highlighted by a stunning, diving grab by Panther keeper Esteban Aguilar (JR/East Hampton, NY) inside of two minutes that kept the one-goal lead intact and another strong defensive play from Romero, who blocked a ball in the midfield in the closing minute with Sage threatening in the offensive zone.

The Purchase defense was paced by Anthony Iurillo (FR/Flushing, NY) and Xavier Lloyd (SO/Somers, NY), who keyed the unit in the back. Aguilar finished with six saves and the Panthers earned the edge in corners, 7-3, despite losing the battle of shots, 13-10 – a category they led 6-4 after the first half.

The Panthers, which broke a two-game losing streak in Thursday's win, will now face the College of Mount Saint Vincent Saturday before traveling to Maritime Tuesday.