Utica, N.Y. - The SUNY Poly men's soccer team fell in a hard-fought 1–0 battle against the Houghton University Highlanders. Despite generating consistent pressure and outshooting the opponent in the second half, the Wildcats were unable to overcome a 51st-minute goal by the Highlanders. With the loss, SUNY Poly moves to 4–10–1 (2-6 Empire 8) on the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The first half was a tightly contested affair, with both sides trading opportunities in the opening 45 minutes. SUNY Poly began to build momentum around the 10-minute mark, sparked by a strong chance from Jael Casimir and the team's first corner of the match.

Johnpaul Jerome led the Wildcat attack with two quality efforts midway through the period, including a shot on target in the 16th minute that forced a save from Houghton goalkeeper Joshua Smith. Dominick Spychalski added another solid attempt shortly after, but Smith again came up with the stop.

Goalkeeper Tyler Barth held strong for SUNY Poly, making a key save on a top-corner shot from Houghton's James Fay in the 20th minute. The Wildcats nearly took the lead late in the half when Casimir hit the crossbar in the 43rd minute, followed seconds later by a LaEh Soe strike that was denied at close range. Despite the late pressure, the teams went into the break level at 0–0.

SUNY Poly started the second half with energy but found themselves trailing after Houghton's James Fay broke the deadlock in the 51st minute, finishing a well-worked sequence to make it 1–0.

The Wildcats nearly responded instantly as Soe struck the post just a minute later. Jerome and Casimir followed up with shots in quick succession, but neither could find the net.

From there, the Wildcats dominated possession and created numerous chances. A flurry of activity between the 78th and 80th minutes saw Jerome, Spychalski, and Jackson Beckman all fire toward goal, testing Smith, who stood tall in net to preserve Houghton's lead.

SUNY Poly earned multiple corners down the stretch and nearly equalized in the 86th minute when Casimir forced a diving save with a shot to the top right. Casimir had another look in the 89th minute but couldn't keep it on frame.

Despite their relentless push in the final 10 minutes, the Wildcats couldn't break through, and Houghton held on for the narrow win.

UP NEXT: The Wildcats will be on the road for a conference battle with the Nazareth University Golden Flyers on Wednesday October 22nd at 4:00 P.M.