PURCHASE, NY - The Purchase College men's soccer team suffered a heartbreaking defeat Saturday afternoon, falling to the Rams of Farmingdale State College, 2-1, in double overtime.
With just 52 seconds remaining in the match, Chris Schmidt (SO/Massapequa, NY) found the back of the net for the second time on the day, finishing off a cross in the box from Anthony Machado (JR/Carle Place, NY) to hand the guests the win.
Following Schimidt's goal, he was mobbed on the field by his teammates, while the Panthers were left with "what ifs" and disappointment. Entering the contest, both squads sported 5-4 records in the Skyline Conference, which meant the winner would clinch a playoff spot with a win and have the inside track to a home playoff game.
The defeat was shocking because of how quickly it came about, since Purchase led almost the entire afternoon. The hosts struck first with a goal in the 32nd minute from
Anthony Guzzone (SO/Shoreham, NY). Guzzone one-timed the ball in off a cross in the box from
Eslam Ellisy (JR/Nyack, NY) to give the Panthers the lead.
From there, the hosts changed their formation to a more defensive setup to try and hold off the impending onslaught from the Rams. The Panthers, especially goalie
Mario Olmedo (FR/East Elmhurst, NY), did an excellent job of doing just that over the next 50+ minutes. When Farmingdale's offense did get chances on goal, Olmedo was magnificent in the frame, finishing with numerous highlight reel saves to keep Purchase ahead, 1-0.
The Rams kept creating quality chances though and it felt like a goal was coming sooner than later. That moment nearly came in the 75th minute, when the guests put a goal in, only for it to be called back on offsides.
However, the dam finally broke in the 88th minute, when Schimidt scored his first goal of the game off a cross in the box. With the strike, the Rams knew they were playing with house money heading into overtime, while the Panthers looked shocked by the result.
In the second half alone, the Rams outshot Purchase, 16-3.
The first overtime period played even between the two teams, as did the second OT frame, it was just the final attack by Farmingdale that changed the outcome of the contest.
While the loss, especially in the fashion in which it happened, certainly wasn't ideal for the Panthers, the team was not eliminated from playoff contention. In fact, all they have to do is secure a win in their final match of the season to punch their ticket.
That match will be at home against The College of Old Westbury on October 29th at 7 p.m. Old Westbury will enter that match needing a win as well to make the Skyline playoffs, so be sure to follow along with Live Stats or come out to the field and cheer on the Panthers!
