North Adams, Mass. – The SUNY Poly men's soccer team earned a 4-1 victory over MCLA on Wednesday evening. The Wildcats scored three times in a 19-minute span during the first half before adding another goal early in the second half. Charlie Bevevino, Marcus Cole, Colby Diamond and Owen Champion each scored for SUNY Poly, while Marcus Duncan and Zack Bruder combined to make 10 saves in goal.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
SUNY Poly and MCLA exchanged scoring chances during the opening minutes, with Nick Pepe recording the Wildcats' first shot on goal in the ninth minute. Marcus Duncan also made two saves during the opening 10 minutes, including stops on Kyle Cardoso and Gustavo de Oliveira.
The Wildcats broke through in the 12th minute when Charlie Bevevino scored at 11:15 off an assist from Marcus Cole to give SUNY Poly a 1-0 lead. Cole nearly added another goal moments later, but his shot in the 17th minute was saved by MCLA goalkeeper Sawyer Barr.
SUNY Poly continued to generate offensive pressure throughout the remainder of the half. Johnpaul Jerome had two shots blocked in the 17th minute, while Carson Frisbie also had a shot blocked shortly after. Duncan continued to keep MCLA off the scoreboard, making another save on Cardoso in the 21st minute.
The Wildcats extended their advantage in the 30th minute when Marcus Cole scored at 29:11 off an assist from Nazim Harizi to make it 2-0. Just 50 seconds later, Colby Diamond found the back of the net at 30:01 off an assist from Johnpaul Jerome, giving SUNY Poly a 3-0 lead.
MCLA looked to respond before halftime, but Duncan made another save on Andrew Lagor in the 41st minute. SUNY Poly continued to create chances late in the half, with Lucas Russell and Andrew Sprenger each recording shots before Jace James had a header blocked in the final minute. The Wildcats carried their 3-0 advantage into halftime.
MCLA opened the second half by cutting into the deficit when Riquelme Flores scored at 47:50 to make it 3-1. SUNY Poly answered just over two minutes later when Owen Champion scored at 50:02 to restore the Wildcats' three-goal advantage.
The Wildcats continued to create opportunities throughout the second half, with Champion recording two more shots, including one that forced a save from MCLA goalkeeper Kevin Sousa. Andrew Dischiavo also forced a save in the 61st minute.
MCLA generated several chances of its own, but Zack Bruder stepped in after halftime and kept the Mustangs from adding to their total. Bruder made saves on de Oliveira in the 48th and 58th minutes, Gonzalez in the 67th minute, de Oliveira again in the 71st minute, Cardoso in the 75th minute and Cardoso again in the final minute of play.
SUNY Poly continued to threaten offensively in the closing minutes, with Jael Casimir and Nazim Harizi each recording shots that were saved by Sousa. The Wildcats' defense held strong through the final whistle to secure the 4-1 victory.
UP NEXT:
The Wildcats return to action on Saturday, September 19, when they travel to take on the Brockport Golden Eagles. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
