By Sharvani Regmi
Brockport, N.Y. – The Brockport Golden Eagles men’s soccer team settled for a draw against SUNY Geneseo in their last regular season matchup in the Empire 8 Conference. Brockport headed into the game with a record of 5-3-2 in the conference.
“I think we played great, but the only thing is we could have improved,” Brockport freshman defender Khadim Amar said. “We could have scored a goal or two because that would have helped us get a home game next Saturday in the playoffs but now, we have to travel. But still considering the playoffs we have to play harder and then make it to the finals.”
The Golden Eagles had 9 shots each in the first and second half. The Brockport defense did not allow Geneseo to take any shots in the first half. In the second half, the Knights attempted two shots, both on target. Brockport had 6 shots on target throughout the game. Both teams were unsuccessful in converting the shots into goals.
Things got exciting in the first few minutes of the game as Brockport junior midfielder Brady Reinagel attempted a header into the net which was saved by Geneseo goalie Vincent Maronski Jr. Brockport freshman midfielder Finn Sullivan attempted a shot on target in the 34th minute of the game, but was unable to convert it.
Brockport senior forward Russ Domm attempted a shot on goal in the 48th minute of the game, threatening the opposition early into the second half. Domm also attempted another shot on target in the 69th minute which was saved by Maronski Jr. Brockport sophomore midfielder Trevor Lagarde attempted a header to give Brockport the lead, but it was received by the Knights goalie. Senior defender Andy Cespedes attempted the final shot on goal for Brockport in the 87th minute but did not manage to convert it.
The Golden Eagles have won two out of seven home games this season.
“We had more chances, way more,” Sullivan said. "I am happy that we made improvements compared to our previous games. We did not drop off in the second half and then get scored on. We put a lot of pressure on them in the second half.”
Brockport had set piece advantage in the game as the Golden Eagles took ten corner kicks while the Knights did not get any. The absence of key players like junior forward Max Voyer and senior midfielder Eric Ramirez due to injury was a big setback for the Golden Eagles. Voyer is the highest scoring Golden Eagle this season with five goals to his name alongside Domm.
“We played a really solid 90 minutes,” Brockport head coach Gary LaPietra said. "Possession wise, tactics wise the guys were sound. We did a lot of good and creative things with the ball. We had shot at more corner kicks we just didn’t finish our chances, and that’s what it comes down to. But we just have to rebound and get ready for a playoff on Saturday.”
The Golden Eagles will be on the road this Saturday to face SUNY Poly in the playoffs. Brockport tied with the Wildcats in their last matchup during the regular season by a score of 2-2.
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