NEWBURGH, NY - The Purchase College men's soccer team was toppled by the Knights of Mount Saint Mary College Thursday night, 4-1, in a Skyline Conference match.
With the result, the Panthers dropped to 7-8-1 overall and 5-4 in the conference. Meanwhile, the Knights now sit atop the league table with records of 12-4-1 and 9-0-1 respectively.
It was the hosts who struck first on the night, as Connor Doyle (SO/New Windsor, NY) found the back of the net in the 11th minute. Doyle finished the chance from Joey Dolan (SR/New Paltz, NY) back post off a cross in the penalty box.
From there, the score remained unchanged until the 29th minute, when Purchase tied the contest on a beautiful goal from
Colman Cassidy (Brooklyn, NY). Cassidy was able to find some space just in front of the box and unleashed a shot that beat the keeper and clanged in off the inside of the right post.
With the contest suddenly knotted up at 1-1, Mount Saint Mary found a renewed focus and started to dominate the game with possession and consistent pressure. The Panthers' defense held up well for awhile, until a brilliant direct kick in the 41st minute broke the deadlock and put the hosts ahead for good. The strike was converted by Dolan, who used his left foot and blasted the shot into the top right corner of goal from 35-yards out.
In the second half, the Knights scored a third goal in the 57th minute, before capping the scoring in the 89th minute to closeout the game, 4-1.
On the night, the hosts outshot Purchase, 23-8 overall and 12-4 on goal.
Mario Olmedo (FR/East Elmhurst, NY) tallied eight saves in the effort for the Panthers.
Despite the loss, the Panthers still control their destiny in terms of the Skyline Conference Playoffs. One win over their next two games would guarantee a playoff berth, while two wins would guarantee a home playoff game. As a result, Purchase will play its most important game of the season this weekend, as the Panthers host Farmingdale State College on October 26th at 11 a.m.
Both teams enter the match with 5-4 records in the Skyline, which means the winner would have the inside track to a home playoff game and clinch a berth in the process. You can follow along right here with Live Stats or come out to the turf field and cheer on the Panthers!
