Men's Soccer Earns Hard-Fought 2-0 Victory at SUNY ESF

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Finger Lakes Community College men's soccer team earned a 2-0 victory over SUNY ESF Sunday evening, marking head coach Joe Balls' first career win with the Lakers. 

The scoring opened late in the first half when Joao Antonio Rocha (Sergipe, Brazil/Colegio Master), assisted by Ben Domman (Wuppertal, Germany/Gesamtschule Barmen), found the back of the net at the 39' mark. Just before halftime, freshman Yaco Gutierrez (San Lorenzo, Argentina/Colegio Sagrado Corazon) doubled the Lakers' lead with a well-placed goal, set up by classmate Robin Giesing (Essen, Germany/Gymnasium-Essen-Werden) at the 44' mark, securing the 2-nil advantage.

Defensively, goalkeepers Aiden Nelson (Fairport, N.Y./Fairport) and Ignacio Jimenez (Bogota, Colombia/San Bartolome la Merced) played solid throughout the match, combining for the shutout and allowing just one shot on goal.

Coach Balls was pleased with the team's effort, stating, "It was a great win. The boys managed the physical battle well, stayed clinical in the important moments, and defended solidly throughout." Up next for the team is their Region III debut at home with the Onondaga Community College Lazers on Wednesday, September 4th at 6 PM.