PURCHASE, N.Y. - Thursday night was big for the Purchase College men's soccer team, as the Panthers celebrated Senior Night and closed out the 2021 campaign against the College of Mount Saint Vincent.
Ultimately, Purchase fell in the contest by the score of 3-2, but held tough all-game long with the Skyline Conference playoff-bound Dolphins.
Before the game kicked off, the Panthers took time to honor their senior class of
Avery Stevenson (Masspeaqua Park, NY),
Nick Prata (Anaheim, CA),
Juan Arboleda (New Rochelle, NY),
Jackson Stenborg (Brooklyn, NY),
Cleefor Hernandez (Bronx, NY) and
Henry Alderson (Brooklyn, NY). The six members all had prepared words read for them, as each took photos with family, teammates and coaches to commemorate the occasion.
After the ceremony, the team quickly transitioned to the battle ahead with the Dolphins. Unfortunately for the hosts, Mount Saint Vincent was also prepared for the contest and quickly scored twice within the first seven minutes.
Despite the early deficit, the Panthers fought back and were rewarded with a goal from
Colman Cassidy, who found the back of the net off a rebounded shot in the 12th minute.
From there, the two sides played the rest of the half to a standstill, as the guests entered the midway break in front, 2-1.
In the second half, the battle resumed and continued over the opening 15 minutes of the frame, before a Purchase foul in the box setup a penalty chance for the Dolphins. Carlos Romero (FR/Mesquite, TX) then stepped up and converted the chance, giving himself and the visitors their third goal of the night.
Even with the expanded deficit, Purchase continued to fight, eventually cutting into the margin in the 87th minute via a strike from Stenborg. Stenborg's goal was setup by Stevenson, as the senior pair concluded their careers with a few more points to their names.
From there, the hosts pushed hard for an equalizer over the final minutes, but Mount Saint Vincent was able to hold off the attacks for the 3-2 win.
On the night, Mount edged Purchase in overall shots, 22-14 and shots on goal, 9-7. In goal, junior
Mario Olmedo (East Elmhurst, NY) finished with four saves.
With the result, Purchase concluded its season with a 4-9-2 overall record and a 1-8-2 mark in Skyline Conference action. As for the Dolphins, they finished the year with marks of 12-1-2 and 9-1-1 respectively, which gave them the No. 2 seed in the upcoming Skyline playoffs.
The men's soccer team will return to action next fall in September 2022. Below is the transcript of the Senior Night remarks.
Before tonight's game, the men's soccer team would like to take a moment to honor its six departing seniors on Senior Night.
Up first is #27 Henry Alderson - A media studios major, Henry joined the Panthers as a senior this year and has logged 49 minutes over three contests so far. Alderson always works hard in practice and has helped the team get better throughout the year. Everyone please give it up for #27 Henry Alderson.
#7 Nick Prata - A communications major, Nick has appeared in all 14 games this season, making 10 starts for 904 minutes of action. A major highlight for Prata in 2021 was his game-winning goal against Skyline Conference Foe Sarah Lawrence College earlier this month. A big round of applause for #7 Nick Pratt.
#22 Cleefor Hernandez - A communications major, Cleefor has started 10 times over 19 games in his Purchase career, including eight this season. Throughout his tenure with the team, Hernandez has always been a solid contributor to the Panthers backline. Everyone please give it up for #22 Cleefor Hernandez
#6 Avery Stevenson - An economics major, Avery has started 30 of the past 31 games for Purchase dating back to 2019. For his career, Stevenson has logged five points with his only goal giving the Panthers a 1-0 win over Sarah Lawrence College back in 2019. During those 31 games, Avery has left his mark on the field as a defender with over two thousand seven hundred minutes played. Everyone please give it up for #6 Avery Stevenson.
#8 Juan Arboleda - An economics major, Juan has played in 31 games for Purchase dating back to 2019, making 29 starts along the way. During that time, the midfielder has logged three goals and seven assists for a career total of 13 points. Against CCNY earlier this year, Arboleda scored twice, including the game winner on a gorgeous direct free kick. Please put your hands together for #8 Juan Arboleda.
#13 Jackson Stenborg - A theatre and performance major, Stenborg has appeared in class best 45 games throughout his Purchase career, dating back to 2018. After going scoreless his first two seasons, Stenborg has found the back of the net twice this year, including the game-winning overtime strike against Hunter College back in September. Everyone please give it up for our final senior, #13 Jackson Stenborg.
