The Tompkins Cortland Community College men's soccer team opened the 2023 campaign on the right foot, taking a 2-1 win over Niagara County Community College Wednesday in Dryden. While the Panthers stand at 1-0, Niagara drops to 0-1-1.

Despite outshooting the visitors 8-2 over the first 45 minutes of play, the Panthers weren't able to find the net and the game remained tied 0-0 at the half. The breakthrough came early in the second half. After pressuring the Niagara goalkeeper for the first dozen minutes of the second half, he made a poor play on free kick, and Nate Freelove (Corning/Corning-Painted Post H.S.) intercepted the short ball and beat the keeper for the first score of the season. Five minutes later George Dickinson (Castleford, England/Ackworth School) gave the Panthers some cushion, dribbling through the Niagara defense and unleashing a scoring strike inside the box. The 2-0 lead held into the final ten minutes, when Niagara capitalized on a rebound in the box to get on the board. The Panthers controlled play the rest of the game, securing the victory.

Jack Phelan (Rockville Centre/South Side H.S.) earned the win in goal, recording four saves and anchoring a strong team defensive effort.

Looking ahead

The Panthers host SUNY ESF in a non-region game Friday, September 1.