Purchase, NY (Sept. 19, 2017) – Not even a rain storm could cool the Purchase College men's soccer team.

The red-hot Panthers reeled off their fourth-straight victory – and fourth consecutive shutout – Tuesday night at home, blanking visiting Sarah Lawrence College, 2-0.  

All Purchase would need on the night offensively – until the final second of the game – was a single header from forward Rob Cal (JR/Port Jervis, NY), who found the back of the night for his third goal of the fall. He sent it in off a corner from midfielder Yianni Amvrosiatos (JR/Warwick, NY) in the seventh minute, which was assisted by Oliver Dubreus (JR/Cornwall, NY). Dubreus served up the short pass off the corner that Cal deposited into the net for the 1-0 advantage.   

Cal had the eventual game-winning goal, but Purchase capped the night with one more strike, courtesy of rookie forward Eslam Ellisy (FR/Nyack, NY). The newcomer picked one heck of a time for his first career collegiate goal. Fellow forward Aidan Leavens (JR/Whitestone, NY) assisted the breakaway at the 30, which Ellisy dribbled up and netted as time expired. He chipped the shot over the head of keeper Mehran Hicks for the two-goal final. The goal set off a huge celebration for the Purchase bench, something that is increasingly becoming the norm this season.   

The Panthers navigated around a negated goal midway through the first period on an offside call that went against the Gryphons.

Aside from that, Purchase's defense, coupled with the play in goal of Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week Jordan Meade (FR/Olivebridge, NY), was enough.

Meade made a series of dazzling plays in goal, including a multiple shot stop in the first half. He also thwarted several attempts in the second half from the feisty Gryphons, who were playing their league opener.

The backdrop of the first half was set to a steady rain, but the skies cleared by halftime and allowed for better conditions over the final 45 minutes – a tenacious, physical second half between the two.

Purchase's Thomas Browne (FR/Carle Place, NY) played well in the midfield and at the forward position, while teammate Amvrosiatos continued his impressive play this fall in the midfield, too. Reserves Allan Ramirez (SO/Mount Vernon, NY) and Leavens saw valuable time in the victory.  

Not to be outdone, the Panther defense loomed large again. Paced by brotherly defenders Anthony Iurillo (SR/Whitestone, NY) and Joseph Iurillo (FR/Whitestone, NY), the hosts overcame losing the shot on goal battle (14-3) thanks to the defense and the play of Meade between the pipes. In addition, tri-captains Greg Lorenz (JR/Massapequa, NY) and Kayode Tyler (SR/Nyack, NY) keyed the defense. The elder Iurillo, along with Tyler and Lorenzo, have provided a formidable, veteran-laden wall in front of Meade.

Meade finished with 14 saves and is now 3-0 on the season, including 2-0 against the Skyline. He made a brilliant diving save under seven minutes that kept the shutout intact.

After opening the season with three straight defeats against a tough non-conference schedule, the victory improves Purchase to 4-3. More importantly, the Panthers are 2-0 in conference and atop the league standings.

The loss drops SLC to 3-5 overall and 0-1 in the league. The Gryphons were paced offensively by Camary Jonas and Mohamad Camara. The two finished with eight shots apiece, accounting for 16 of the team's 26 on the evening.

Purchase returns to action Thursday on the road, when the Panthers travel to Albertus Magnus for a non-conference meeting. Thursday's matchup is the beginning of three straight road games against non-league opponents.