PURCHASE, NY - The Purchase College men's soccer team was defeated at home Monday night, falling to the Pioneers of Utica College, 1-0.

With the result, the Panthers are now 6-4-1 overall, while the Pioneers improved to 8-2-2. 

Throughout the night, the two squads were hammered by intense rain, wind and fog. While the weather did limit what both sides could do offensively, each team was able to create a couple of chances on the night. 

Unfortunately for the Panthers, it was the Pioneers who converted one of their chances with a brilliant shot in the 11th minute. The lone goal was scored by Jhonny Theze (FR/Bronx, NY), who absolutely ripped a shot from 35-40 yards out and buried just under the crossbar. Purchase keeper Mario Olmedo (FR/East Elmhurst, NY) did manage to get his fingertips on the shot, but it was hit so hard that it still snuck under the frame.

20 minutes later, the guests nearly doubled their advantage on a shot in the box by Randy Malek (SR/Tampa, FL). However, the attempt was deflected away by a Purchase defender, who was waiting on the goal line for the team save. From there, the two sides went into the halftime break and then the rain really kicked in. 

With the two sides battling the deluge to open the second half, the action slowed until the 66th minute, when Purchase nearly tied the contest twice.

The chances were setup via a 40-yard free kick, that found the feet of Colman Cassidy (SO/New York, NY). Cassidy blasted a shot from eight yards out to the right side, but it was saved at the last second by Utica keeper, Randy Miksch (JR/Lake Villa, IL).

Following the save, Vincent La Fata (JR/East Meadow, NY) collected the rebound and unleashed another tough shot to the bottom right corner of goal. But Miksch again played the role of hero, as he recovered from the first save to parry the ball out for a corner kick. 

The Panthers had final chance late in the game, when Owen O'Toole (FR/Pearl River, NY) received a cross into the box in the 88th minute. O'Toole was forced to one-time the shot due to converging defenders and put it wide right. As he took the chance, defenders knocked into him and he went to ground, but the referee did not issue a penalty chance much to the chagrin of the Panthers. 

On the night, Utica outshot Purchase, 15-12 overall, but the Panthers finished with seven shots on goal to the Pioneers' six.

Up next for the Panthers is one last non-conference game of 2019, as the team travels to New Jersey City University on October 9th. That match is set for a 3 p.m. start and you can follow it here.