The #5 nationally ranked MVCC Men's Soccer team traveled to Auburn, NY to take on the #9 nationally ranked Cayuga Spartans in a battle of the undefeated on Monday evening. The Spartans got the first tally less than 2 minutes into the game when the referee pointed to the penalty spot after a bouncing ball hit a Hawk midfielder in the hand in the corner of the 18 yard box. Cayuga stepped up and buried home the attempt to give the Spartans a 1-0. It was the first time the Hawks have trailed so far this season.

It didn't take long for the Hawks to respond. Less than 3 minutes later, Alieu Barre would find Gustavo Nunes who blasted home his shot attempt to tie the game.

The Hawks would go on to take the lead in the 28th minute when Alieu Barre would connect with Lucas Beja who finished the breakaway attempt to put the Hawks up 2-1. Gustavo Nunes would find his second tally of the game in the 35th minute to give the Hawks the lead, 3-1.

Cayuga struck again in the 39th minute off of a free kick from roughly 30 yards out. As the game continued on, Gustavo Nunes completed his hat-trick in the 52nd minute on a pass from Lucas Beja. Nunes later earned his 4th goal of the game on a pass from Alvaro Pineda. However, the Spartans would respond again off of a free kick in the 80th minute to bring the score to 5-3. Mohawk Valley's Breno Guimaraes made 3 saves in the win while Spartan's goalkeeper Luca Gazzi would earn 10 saves. The Hawks held a 25-10 advantage in shots with a 15-6 advantage on goal. The Hawks also held a 8-2 advantage in corner kicks.

"It was a great game of soccer" stated Coach Dom DiMaggio. "To ultimately score 5 goals, face early adversity with the PK, and keep our composure , shows the mental toughness of this group. I thought we played our best soccer of the year tonight. Cayuga did not let us pull away but in the end, I think we caught some tough luck and were still able to overcome it."

The Hawks travel to SUNY Adirondack on Wednesday, September 20th for another Region III match up. 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