PURCHASE, NY - The Purchase College men's soccer team was defeated in its season opener Wednesday evening, falling to the John Jay College at home, 3-1.

Both sides were aggressive to start the contest, as each team was whistled for offsides twice in the first 15 minutes. However, the Panthers (0-1) were finally able to break through in the 19th minute, when Jose Arias (FR/Greenport, CT) tapped in a point-blank shot right in front of net.

The opportunity came after Colman Cassidy (SO/Brooklyn, NY) unleashed a pair of close shots that were blocked by John Jay defenders, before the ball landed at Arias' feet, allowing the freshman to tap in his first collegiate goal.

John Jay (1-1) wasn't behind for long though, as the Bloodhounds knotted things up just ten minutes later.

In the 29th minute, Peter Ceesay (SR/Banjul, The Gambia) slid a hard-hit ball past Mario Olmedo's (FR/ East Elmhurst, NY) outstretched diving hands, as the shot found just enough space in the bottom left corner of goal, tying things up at one all.

The two sides remained tied heading in the halftime break, before John Jay was able to jump in front quickly in the second half. Andrew DeCanio (SO/Flushing, NY) scored on a one-on-one breakaway in the 52nd minute, beating the keeper right under his charging dive attempt. 

Purchase nearly tied the contest on a gorgeous free kick by Juan Arboleda (JR/ New Rochelle, NY) 11 minutes later, but his attempt from 30 yards out was just too high and clanged off the top of the crossbar. 

Over the rest of the night, John Jay held the Panthers' attack at bay, before sealing the contest in the 88th minute with an insurance goal. 

Overall, the Bloodhounds outshot Purchase, 17-15 and 9-5 on goal. Olmedo finished with six saves and the loss in his first collegiate start, while Steven Towler (JR/Port Jefferson, NY) nabbed four saves for John Jay. 

Up next for the Panthers is another home contest, as they host CCNY on September 6th at 6 p.m. You can follow that contest right here.