This past weekend the Geneseo men's and women's soccer teams traveled to Erie, Penn. for the Penn State Behrend Tournament.
Though the men fell in the championship game, the women were able to win the consolation match.
The men's side started off strong, winning their first game against Baldwin Wallace. The Blue Knights ended regulation time tied 1-1 thanks to a goal by senior Jason Tartick, who put in a corner kick provided by sophomore Colin Begy.
Junior Ben Ariola scored the final goal of the match with 1:37 remaining in extra time.
The team is getting plenty of practice in well-matched games, as this is their second trip to overtime this season. The first came in the form of a scoreless double-overtime tie to Ithaca in the season opener.
In an e-mail, coach Michael Mooney said, "playing in close matches and overtimes provides you with opportunities to be tested in pressure situations."
With the win on Saturday, Geneseo was set to play host Penn State Behrend the next day in the championship match. Unfortunately, the men did not meet the same results as they did on
Friday, ending the tournament with a loss.
The Behrend Lions scored two goals in the first half and the Blue Knights never recovered. Junior Ryan Stansfield pulled the team within one goal with 5:16 remaining, but the men could not get the equalizer. Junior goalkeeper Mike Madarasz made two saves in the loss.
After the 1-1 split this weekend, the men's team now holds an even record of 1-1-1. The Blue Knights will kick off a two-game road trip against two undefeated foes, with Clarkson on Friday at 4 p.m. followed by neighboring
St. Lawrence on Saturday at 2 p.m.
The women's side lost to Baldwin Wallace in the opening game of the tournament by a score of 1-0.
Despite a staunch defense that allowed just two shots on goal the entire weekend, Baldwin Wallace found the back of the net off a corner kick in the second half. Junior goaltender Katie Clerkin took the loss despite the otherwise solid defensive outing.
Luck was not on the Lady Knights' side offensively, as they outshot the Yellow Jackets an impressive 11 shots to four.
Scoring was no problem for the women in Sunday's consolation game, however, as they beat Juniata by a score of 4-0. Senior Eileen Coyle led the Knights with two goals. The Lady Knights' scored three times in the second half.
Junior Jane Matejcik fed senior Melissa Beale for the third goal and sophomore Kelly Bergin rounded off the scoring, assisted by sophomore Bre Glynn.
Coach Nathan Wiley said in an e-mail that the improved offensive efficiency came from a regained "composure and patience in the box." Clerkin made one save in 72:49 and freshman Saoirse Andrews was untested in 17:11.
With Sunday's win, the women find themselves with a 2-1 record for the season so far. Wiley said he is optimistic, especially considering the only blemish on the Lady Knights' record is a game which they performed strongly and had the potential to win.
The women's team plays their first home game on Saturday at 1 p.m. as they take on Pitt-Bradford, a new addition to their schedule.