Gators fall 1-0 in program's debut
Oswego,
NY---The Sage Colleges men’s soccer team opened
their new season and participated in the first varsity game in the
history of the new men’s soccer program. Sage fell 1-0 to
Oswego State on Friday afternoon in the first round of the Oswego
State Fall Invitational. Sage drops to 0-1 on the young year, while
Oswego State is now 1-1.
The two teams played to a scoreless first half, before the Lakers’ junior Bryan Pacchiana (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Lakeland) broke the tie with his first goal of the year on a feed from senior German Collazo (Freeport, NY/Freeport) at the 56:48 mark.
The game marked the first in
program history for Sage. The Gators' roster currently has 26
players, 22 of which are freshmen. Sage started off the game with
confidence by playing a ball over the top of the Oswego State
defenders and getting of an early shot on goal. The game would
continue to go back and forth for most of the first half.
The Lakers started to control the tempo late in the first half and
early in the second, leading up to the Pacchiana goal. Swirling
winds highlighted the second half, as both teams struggled to
maintain possession.
Sage's best chance to tie came when Chris Giustina
(Enfield, CT/Enrico Fermi) beat a couple Oswego State
defenders and struck a shot that Laker goalie Matt
Wopperer anticipated and knocked away. Wopperer finished the
game with four saves in a shutout win. Volpe recorded four saves in
the contest.
Sage’s while rookie goalie Carmen Volpe (Cohoes, NY/Christian Brothers Academy) played the whole match in goal with four saves in his debut. Oswego’s senior goalie Matt Wopperer (Manlius, NY/Fayetteville-Manlius) picked up the shutout win as he too turned away four of the seven shots he faced.
Sage will take to the pitch
again on Saturday in the consolation game of Oswego’s
tournament at 1 p.m. and will face the loser of the match-up
between Alfred and Grove City College.
Head Coach Kyle Clancy
said of his players in their debut, “I could not be any
prouder of the team.” Clancy added, “they really came
together and made a great showing in the game and had several
chances to tie the action. I am excited for the season!”
Sage Colleges (0-1) vs. Oswego State Lakers (1-1)
Date: Sep 03, 2010 Attendance: 119 Weather: Hot & Humid
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
-------------------------------
Sage Colleges....... 0 0 - 0
Oswego State Lakers. 0 1 - 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 56:48 OSWMSOC Bryan Pacchiana (1) (German Collazo)
Shots: Sage Colleges 7, Oswego State Lakers 7
Saves: Sage Colleges 4 (Volpe, Carmen 4), Oswego State Lakers 4 (Matt
Wopperer 4) -30-