Lakers Fall in Overtime Heartbreaker in National Semifinal Match

HERKIMER, N.Y. – The Finger Lakes Community College men's soccer team went toe-to-toe with #1 Dallas College Richland in the 2025 NJCAA Division III National Semifinal on Friday evening at Wehrum Stadium, ultimately falling 2–1 in overtime.

Richland broke through late in the first half on an unassisted finish from Sebastian Gonzalez, taking a 1–0 lead into halftime after outshooting the Lakers 12–0 through the opening 45 minutes.

Finger Lakes responded immediately after the break. Freshman Bautista Suarez (Salta, Argentina/Colegio Belgrano) converted a set piece delivered by sophomore Owen Schuessler (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua Academy) just two minutes into the second half, pulling the Lakers level and shifting the momentum.

Both sides traded stretches of possession and half-chances throughout the remainder of regulation, entering overtime locked at 1–1. In the 98th minute, Alex Valdez finished a pass from Edgar Chavelas to give Richland the golden-goal winner.

Freshman goalkeeper Joshua Koobs (Leverkusen, Germany/Werner Heisenberg Gymnasium) delivered one of the strongest performances of the tournament, facing a heavy workload and making 12 saves while keeping Finger Lakes within reach throughout the match.

Up Next:

Finger Lakes will face Bergen Community College on Saturday, November 16th at 1:30 PM in the NJCAA Division III National Tournament Third-Place Match.