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Panthers Men’s Soccer Score Twice In a Losing Effort

By Brandon Cruz


Yahir Tafoya (right) finished with two goals in 82 minutes for the Panthers. (Photo by Kyle Hendler)


The Panthers Men’s Soccer team (1-9) fell to the Baruch College Bearcats (2-5-2) in a 2-6 defeat on Oct. 7, extending their losing streak to seven games.


Yahir Tafoya, an undeclared freshman, and midfielder for the Panthers, scored the only two goals for the team in the second half. Alan Nikaj, a freshman forward for the Bearcats, scored the only goal of the first half for both teams, which was later followed by five goals by the Bearcats in the second half to seal the game.


The Panthers have had problems on both ends of the field all season. Panthers Head Coach, George Gjokaj, spoke highly about their offense, however, saying, “The offense always created a lot of chances. The variable really is goals conceded that hurt us.”


The Bearcats Head Coach, Dima Kamenshchik, noted how he liked the way the team moved the ball throughout the game.


“I thought ball movement was very good,” Kamenshchik said. “I think Purchase did a really good job intercepting a couple of passes and putting really good pressure on us in the middle. They were able to capitalize on a couple chances, but overall I was pretty pleased with the way we moved the ball.”


Ammar Ahmedshaker, a senior defender for the Bearcats, scored off a kick from the corner in the second half.


“It was meant to be a cross, but I was too close to the box,” Ahmedshaker said. “I was like, I have to just rip it from this point.”


Facing a schedule with only teams in their conference, Ahmedshaker said, “It’s only our second win of the season. We got to keep our heads up. We have to keep this momentum going into the next game.”


  Oliver Broun (left) played 29 minutes for the Panthers. (Photo by Kyle Hendler)


Martin Nikprelaj, a freshman communications major and midfielder for the Panthers, played 75 minutes. He spoke about a rough second half that changed the game for the team.


“That first [Bearcats] goal, we just fell asleep, but we turned it around,” Nikprelaj said. “All of a sudden, they just scored a goal and it fell apart.


Everyone’s mood just went down.”


Nikprelaj noted the mood swings the team experiences throughout the game, saying, “We just have to clear our minds. It’s part of the game; you’re going to get scored on no matter what.”


“Every game we’re going to try and have that mindset of keeping it pushing,” Nikprelaj said. “One day it’s going to come. One day, the game is going to open up for us and we’re going to shock a lot of people.”


The Panthers huddled on the field during stoppage time. (Photo by Kyle Hendler)


The Panthers are more than halfway done with their season. With six more games to go, five of those being against teams in their conference, Gjokaj talked about how they could finish on a positive note.


“Be a good teammate,” Gjokaj said. “Try to enjoy the journey. Self-reflect and focus on yourself and improve. The camaraderie, the friendship, the community and culture that we create; as long as that’s not compromised, I still think we can take a lot of positives out of these losses.”




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