Panthers Win In Hard-Fought Fashion

By Shaya Silberstein

The Panthers Men’s Soccer team won 1-0 against the St. Joseph Brooklyn Bears in a battle of physicality. 

The Panthers entered this matchup having lost four straight games and were looking to get back into the win column. Purchase controlled possession for most of the first half, which led to numerous opportunities for shots on goal. 

In the 21st minute of the game, the Panthers lined up for a corner kick that went right to freshman defender Alwyn Ganzhi-Siguencia, who glanced a header into the top right corner, giving the Orange and Blues a deserved 1-0 lead from which they never looked back.

Physical play between the two teams as they fight for the ball (Photo by Shaya Silberstein)

"It was a designed play that we've been doing," is what Coach Bruno Ferreira said about the goal. "We've been running it all season long, and it finally resulted [in a goal], so that was good."

While the first half was full of opportunities and shots, the second half was a tale of inefficient and undisciplined play, as the Panthers would foul over twelve times, including two yellow cards, which Coach Ferreira talked about, "we were very inefficient in front of goal, we left out a lot of goals out there. It was a good win, but it was a sloppy win."

The Panther and The Bears lining up for Introductions (Photo by Shaya Silberstein)

Chemistry was important for the team, which Oliver Broun, an economics and environmental science junior, talked about: "It was great, we got the team to function well together. We had a few mistakes, like always, but we made sure to make up for them and fight for the ball back. Overall, a good win for the team." With this year's squad featuring many new players, the Panthers have looked to improve their connection on field, which Broun also spoke about, "Quicker passes, and just know our teammates better, because we're very good off the field, but on the field we are mostly freshman, so we have to make sure to combine faster and create more chances, but asides from that, I'm satisfied."

The Panthers warming up before the game (Photo by Shaya Silberstein)

Panthers improved the record to 4-6, and will look to carry this momentum into their next matchup against Maritime College, on their home turf.