The No. 9 nationally ranked Mohawk Valley Community College Men's Soccer team took on the No. 3 nationally ranked Genesee Community College on Wednesday evening. The Hawks struck first just 15 minutes into the game when Daniel Beltran picked up a ball in the midfield and found Cheick Kaba who dribbled past the GCC goalkeeper and slotted the ball into the back of the net. The Hawks would strike again just 10 minutes later when Cheick Kaba flicked a ball to Alvara Pineda who buried home the first time shot to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead. GCC would find their first tally of the game with 45 seconds left in the 1st half to make it a 2-1 game going into halftime. At halftime, the Hawks would receive a red card which would put them down to 10 men for the rest of the game. The Hawks would continue to battle but in the 67 minute, the Hawks would clear a corner kick that would be fired in the back of the net by the Cougars to tie the game up 2-2. The Hawks were able to keep things organized in the back for the second half and two 10-minute overtime periods to end the game in a 2-2 tie.
"This was a typical match-up of two of top teams in the country at our level." stated Head Coach Dom DiMaggio. "I think we got a bit unlucky with the red card during halftime but it was something we definitely could've avoided. I thought we did extremely well in the first half not allowing Genesee to get into a rhythm and we finished our opportunities in front of goal. I give our guys all the credit in the world for battling the way that they did to still earn a result today. 65 minutes down a man is no easy task, especially against a quality opponent."
The Hawks return to action on Wednesday October 5th when they take on Finger Lakes Community College for a 7:30PM kickoff at D'Alesandro Stadium in Utica, NY. For results, stats, and more information on the MVCC Men's Soccer Program please follow them on Facebook: Mohawk Valley Community College Men's Soccer, on Instagram: MVCC_Men's_ Soccer, Twitter: MVCC Athletics, or visit https://gomvhawks.com/sports/msoc/index