On Tuesday, the sixth-seeded Geneseo men's soccer team dominated the #3 Brockport Golden Eagles to advance past the first round of the SUNYAC tournament. Geneseo won the game 4-1, scoring two goals in each half.
Sophomore Jason Tartick opened the scoring with a goal off of a pass from sophomore Jeff Rahmlow in the 26th minute. In the 32nd minute, sophomore Kurt Jameson scored off of a cross from junior Judah Manetta. The game quieted down for a little bit after that, but Jameson scored again in the 78th minute off of a through pass from freshman Ben Ariola. Manetta notched an unassisted fourth goal in the 81st minute to make it 4-0 in Geneseo's favor. Brockport managed to score off of a header in the 87th minute, ruining the shutout, but Geneseo still came away with a huge victory.
Freshman Mike Madarasz was superb in goal, recording six saves and allowing the one late goal to Brockport. The Knights will now advance to the SUNYAC semifinals and will face #2 Plattsburgh on Friday in Oneonta.
The sixth-seeded women's team, meanwhile, saw their season come to an abrupt end on Monday. They fell to #3 Brockport in a heartbreaking 2-0 loss.
Playing her final game in goal, senior Laura Castor recorded three saves in the first half but allowed two goals. She was replaced in the second half by freshman Katie Clerkin, who recorded three saves and did not allow any goals.
The team's offensive attack was mediocre, taking thirteen shots compared to Brockport's twenty. Sophomore Stephanie Bergin and junior Eileen Coyle took three shots each, but neither player was able to convert them into goals.
Brockport's defense was impressive as it prevented Geneseo from taking a single shot on goal in the entire first half, and then saving all seven Geneseo shots on goal in the second half.
"The games were almost identical," Coach Nate Wiley told the Brockport Stylus, comparing this game to Geneseo's regular-season match against the Golden Eagles. "Brockport played better in the first half and got goals. I think we truly outplayed them in the second half both times (moreso in the first game)."
After reaching the SUNYAC championship game last season, the team was expected to compete for the title again this year, but injuries over the course of the season weakened the team and lowered their record. The team will lose the veteran leadership of seniors such as Castor and midfielder Diane Long after this year.
Despite the disappointing finish to this season, there is hope for next season. Some of the team's younger players, such as Clerkin, have played admirably and have shown that they have what it takes to lead next year's team.