BROCKPORT, N.Y. – The College at Brockport Men's Soccer team showed tremendous heart in the come from behind 2-1 overtime victory over SUNY Cortland in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Semifinal Wednesday evening on Bob Boozer Field at Eunice Kennedy Shriver Stadium.
Brockport (12-5-2 Overall) trailed 1-0 with less than six minutes remaining on the clock in the second half of play despite testing the Red Dragon goalkeeper on multiple occasions.
Collin Goettel put the Golden Eagles on the board to tie the game up in a momentum swinging penalty kick. Although the goal could not be credited with an assist, Patrick Sprague gave the Green and Gold a chance at tying the game with his all-out hustle in the closing minutes. Prior to Goettel's game-tying goal, Sprague sprang into action as he secured a loose ball in the keeper's box before rifling a shot.
The shot initially looked to be blocked by Cortland as the ball ricocheted far from danger until the call was made of a handball, resulting in Goettel's fourth goal of the season on the penalty shot.
The Golden Eagles carried the momentum into the overtime period behind several members of the team that refused to let their season come to an end. David LaPietra's presence was felt from the defensive side to the offensive side as he made his mark on the final play of the game.
Brockport was applying lots of pressure early into the extended time and scored during the fourth minute of play. Peter DiLorenzo rushed down the sideline with one defender to beat and was taken down on the play resulting in a free kick. Goettel sent the ball in hard towards the net which was headed out of the keeper's box. LaPietra collected a rebounded shot and slid the ball by a defender to an open Chris Aherne. Aherne one touched the ball before sending a low hard shot into the net for the golden goal and game-winner.
Senior goalkeeper Casey Sullivan played inspired soccer that fueled a Brockport victory that sends them to the SUNYAC Championship. On several occasions Sullivan was pushed to the brink of his limit making six saves including a few shots rocketed in his direction. During the first half, Cortland had a few open looks that Sullivan appeared to have no chance at making the save but he made the unbelievable stop to preserve the 0-0 score at first intermission.
Brockport advances onto the SUNYAC Championship and will travel to face the No. 1 seeded Red Dragons of Oneonta on Saturday at 1 p.m. Be sure to stay up to date on all of your Golden Eagle scores and awards by following @BportAthletics on Twitter and by liking the "Brockport Golden Eagles" Facebook page.
