The #5 nationally ranked Mohawk Valley Men's Soccer team traveled to Batavia, NY on Saturday evening to take on the #2 nationally ranked Genesee Cougars. Genesee would strike first in the 15th minute when Unai Cruz would get a ball just outside the 18-yard box and smashed it into the upper corner of the goal. The Hawks would respond in the 31st minute when Gustavo Paz Koch flicked Gustavo Nunes in on a breakaway, Nunes would slot the ball inside of the post to even the game at 1-1. Genesee would take the lead in the 52nd minute on a corner kick. With just 12 minutes remaining, Lucas Beja would find Gustavo Nunes who blasted a shot from 25 yards out to beat the Genesee goalkeeper to tie the game at 2-2. With 6 minutes remaining, a Genesee player would receive his second yellow card of the game which resulted in a red card. The Hawks continued to put pressure on the Cougars but were unable to find a game winner.
Jaime Mata earned his second start in goal and made 5 saves on the evening while the Genesee goalkeeper would finish the game with 3 saves.
"I thought tonight was a typical battle between two tops teams in the Region and the country" stated Head Coach Dom DiMaggio. "Genesee took it to us the first 15 minutes and earned a goal. I thought we settled in after that and started to get the better of the play. It comes down to moments in games like this, we conceded a poor goal in the second half but still found a way to tie up the game. It was great to see us respond positive to adversity including not having Andrew with us tonight. It was a well-played game by both sides."
The Hawks honored Genesee Community College Men's Soccer player Ethan Walker during the coin toss. Ethan was involved in a tragic accident earlier this season which left him battling for his life. MVCC Captain Fasaikou Jammeh wore a Mohawk Valley Men's Soccer t-shirt with a Scottish flag and the words "#29 GET WELL SOON FROM MVCC FAMILY" and also provided Ethan and his family with a donation. "This is what athletics is all about, people helping people. My heart goes out to Ethan and the GCC Athletic Department. It's a prayer answered that Ethan is trending in the right direction, we will continue to keep Ethan in our thoughts and prayers." – Coach DiMaggio. To help contribute to Ethan's recovery please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/ethan-walker-need-our-help , any contribution helps.
The #5 Hawks return to action on Sunday, October 1st when they host Niagara Community College at D'Alessandro Stadium for a 1:00PM kickoff. 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 www.gomvhawks.com