Spartans Win at North Country CC

Saranac Lake, N.Y. - The Cayuga Spartan Men's Soccer team finished off their two day road trip at North Country Community College in Saranac Lake N.Y.

The game contest began between the Spartans and the Saints as the Spartans attacked from right to left in the first half of this NJCAA Region 3 contest. Both teams started well, but it took the Spartan men longer to find the passing game. It was a very back and forth first 25 minutes with both teams seeing some close action in their respectful penalty areas. It took Jason Boxx (London, England) to open the scoring for Cayuga with some fantastic individual skill, beating 5 NCCC players to put the ball past the oncoming Saints keeper. Cayuga had a scare in the final minutes before the half, when NCCC had a goal disallowed for offside. At the end of the first half, Cayuga lead 1-0, over their North Country friends.

With the second half underway, it was the North Country who came out strong and Cayuga held defensively. The defensive line for Cayuga played fantastic, with Jason Boxx (London, England), Ryan Killian (Auburn, New York), Mustapha Bility (Syracuse, New York), and Mike Killian (Auburn, New York) all in sync with each other, while the NCCC Saints attacked often.

While Cayuga was holding their defensive line well, the Spartan midfielders were on par with their defensive teammates in making sure the Saints didn't get on the score sheet. About halfway through the second half, Spartan midfielder Robert Carter (York, England) put Cayuga up 2-0, with what looked like a deflection off his shinguard into the roof of the net. That took the wind out of the sails of NCCC and Cayuga finished the match 2-0 over the Saints.

Coach Wynne said, "It was an all-round team effort today, and I delighted for the boys because they worked really hard for it. Jason Boxx had an amazing game at center back, with strong leadership skills from him, keeping us tight at the back....and his goal was an ESPN Top 10 Play. For a big young man he can certainly move his feet to weave in and out of the defense and put the ball in the net. Also delighted for Robert Carter too, being in the right place at the right time to score his first. I thought it came off the defender but he's claiming it, so I'm delighted for him too. Again, our keeper/midfielder, or should I say that the other way around, midfielder/keeper Mohammed Ouro-Sama came up big for us and he'll never forget it, or I won't let him. Very proud of the boys and all their hard work this weekend and now we are back to full strength for Wednesday's clash with Onondaga Community College at Emerson. 

The Spartans welcome back James Green (Liverpool, England), and Mike Vanderhoof (Auburn, New York), both suffered injuries and were out for the past week. Cayuga Men's Soccer team face their county rivals on Wednesday at 5pm at Emerson Park in Auburn NY.