Utica, N.Y. – The SUNY Poly men's soccer team battled hard but ultimately fell 2–1 to the visiting SUNY Brockport Golden Eagles. Despite a strong defensive first half and a second-half push that featured a Nazim Harizi penalty goal, the Wildcats were unable to find an equalizer in the closing minutes. With the loss, SUNY Poly moves to 2–8–1 on the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

The opening half was a defensive struggle, with both sides trading fouls and chances. SUNY Poly goalkeeper Tyler Barth came up big early, making a pair of saves on shots from Brockport's Peter Tinaj and Brady Reinagel to keep the match level. On the other end, Jael Casimir and Elijah North generated promising looks for the Wildcats, including a 22nd-minute effort that forced Brockport keeper A.J. Nelson into action.

As the half wore on, the Wildcats held firm under pressure, weathering a flurry of Brockport corners late in the period. Neither team could break through before halftime, sending the match into the break scoreless.

Brockport broke the deadlock in the 51st minute when Max Voyer converted from close range off an assist from Alex Rivara. The Golden Eagles doubled their lead six minutes later as Brady Reinagel found the back of the net to make it 2–0.

SUNY Poly responded quickly. After sustained pressure in the attacking third, Nazim Harizi was fouled in the box and stepped up to bury the ensuing penalty in the 59th minute, cutting the deficit to 2–1.

The Wildcats carried momentum from there, with shots from Harizi, Casimir, JohnPaul Jerome, and North testing the Brockport defense. Nelson made key saves in the 79th minute to deny both Jerome and North, preserving the narrow lead.

Despite a late push that included a series of corners and substitutions, SUNY Poly couldn't find the equalizer before the final whistle and would fall by a score of 2-1.

UP NEXT:
The Wildcats return to action on Wednesday, October 8, when they host Saint John Fisher for another conference matchup at 6:00 P.M.