Lakers Claim Third Place at Nationals With 2–0 Win Over Bergen

HERKIMER, N.Y. – The Finger Lakes Community College men's soccer team closed out its historic 2025 season with a 2–0 victory over Bergen Community College on Sunday afternoon, securing a third-place national finish, the highest final ranking in program history.

After a scoreless first half, the breakthrough arrived in spectacular fashion. In the 62nd minute, freshman Bautista Suarez (Salta, Argentina/Colegio Belgrano) curled a corner kick directly into the net, scoring an Olimpico to put the Lakers ahead 1–0.

Finger Lakes doubled its lead in the 81st minute when Finn Atkinson (Warrington, England/King's Leadership Academy) finished a pass from Suarez to make it 2–0 and put the match out of reach.

Freshman goalkeeper Harry Eastwick (Christchurch, New Zealand/St. Thomas of Canterbury College) recorded the shutout, stopping the lone shot on goal he faced. The Lakers held Bergen to just one attempt on frame while producing 10 shots of their own.

With the win, Finger Lakes concludes the season 19–2–1 (6-0), adding a third-place national placement to a resume that already included a second straight Region III title, a program-record 17 wins entering the national tournament, and the program's first-ever appearance in the NJCAA national semifinal.

Finger Lakes will look to build on its historic season with a key group of returners and a strong recruiting class for the 2026 season.