PURCHASE, N.Y. – Backed by two first-half goals, the Yeshiva University men's soccer team defeated host Purchase 5-0 Thursday night.

In defeat, the Panthers drop to 3-2 overall and 0-1 in the Skyline Conference. The visiting Maccabees advance to 5-1-2 overall and 4-1-2 in the league.

Purchase started hot in its attacking third but came up short with back-to-back missed opportunities from Marlon Matute (SO/Staten Island, NY) and Colman Cassidy (SR/Brooklyn, NY), respectively, in the opening 10 minutes.

In the 38th minute, Leo Conte (JR/New York, NY) delivered a nearly flawless free kick from 20 yards out but was shut down by Yeshiva netminder Benjamin Brener as he made a diving save to the right post.

Despite a valiant effort by Purchase, Yeshiva rallied around a Josh Ziarno score in the 18th minute and an Alexandre Assouline tally at 39:04.

Ziarno's sixth goal of the season paved the way for the win, with YU padding the narrow 2-0 first-half lead on second-half goals from David Abittan (50th minute), Ethan Fettaya (57th) and Asher Martin (79th), respectively.  

Brener (4-0-1) recorded four saves for the Maccabees, keeping his undefeated streak alive while also collecting his second shutout of the season.

Purchase sophomore Travis Stella (Waterbury, NY) tallied five stops in net for the home team. The loss dropped his record to 1-2 overall.

The Panthers look to bounce back into the win column this weekend against Skyline foe St. Joseph's University, New York (L.I.). The team will play host to the Golden Eagles on Saturday at noon.\

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