After the previous season, the last thing the men’s soccer team wanted to do was lose. Especially by a single goal. But at Thursday’s home opener that’s exactly how things played out for Purchase, losing 2-1 against the visiting Brooklyn Bridges.
Last season the Panthers went 6-10, in which nine of their 10 losses were by one goal. The same pattern continued, despite having won their last match against Yeshiva, 2-0.
In Thursday’s match-up the Panthers surged early in the game to a 1-0 lead on a goal by sophomore Nick Esposito assisted by defenseman Ki Walker. Eleven minutes later, the Bridges responded with an unassisted rebound goal by Brooklyn’s Igor Kozlov, and entered half-time knotted at 1-1.
With the start of the second half, Purchase continued heavy pressure on the Brooklyn defense with each opportunity being neutralized. Sebastian Munoz led the Panther’s charge with three shots on goal. But with just over twenty minutes left in regulation, the Purchase defense fouled a Brooklyn attacker just outside the penalty area, leaving Brooklyn with a direct free kick to the right of the goal. Brooklyn’s Mack Diller sent a streaking shot through the wall allowing forward Duane Heaven to set up Muhammad Mutawakki to roll in the go ahead goal.
In a last ditch effort, the Panthers could only keep the pressure on the Brooklyn defense, hoping for a lucky bounce or call. But as time on the scoreboard ticked away, so did the chances for a comeback. The last burst of life for the Panthers came on a throw in by Ki Walker that led to another cross by Nick Esposito where midfielder Sefu Simms was taken down in the penalty box, but no call was issued.
The Panthers are now 1-1 overall and will look to recover Thursday’s loss at the Centenary College Tournament on Saturday and Sunday in Hackettstown, N.J.
