Spartans Fall Late to Lazers

Cayuga Community College Men's Soccer lost a physical, hard-fought away match to Onondaga Community College on Wednesday.

The #9 Spartans held a 2-0 lead at the break, but the #8 Lazers broke through with three goals in the second half to take the 3-2 win. The loss drops Cayuga to 6-2 on the season, 5-2 in Region III play and a 2-1 record in Mid-State Athletic Conference competition.

Cayuga needed less than a minute in the first period to score the opening goal, with Raffaele Mathews taking advantage of a Jack Thomas pass only 25 second into play. The lead grew to 2-0 with less than 18 minutes remaining when Mathews scored his second goal on another assist from Thomas. The Spartans stopped the Lazers' last-second corner-kick to carry a 2-0 lead into the break.

Cayuga held defensively at the start of the second period despite increased pressure from the Lazers, but OCC got on the board with 31 minutes remaining. The Lazers evened the match at 2 goals apiece 10 minutes later, then took the lead with 12:41 left. The Spartans were unable to even the match down the stretch.

Cayuga has a home scrimmage Friday against Hartwick College at 7 p.m. at Falcon Park, then they're back in Region III competition Sunday, Oct. 1, with a home match against North Country Community College. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.