A pair of first-half goals gave the Tompkins Cortland Community College men's soccer team a 2-0 win over Niagara County Community College in the Region 3 opener on Wednesday. The Panthers are 1-1 overall and 1-0 in Region 3. It was the season opener for Niagara.
The long bus ride to Western New York always makes for a tough road trip, but the Panthers came out strong. The first goal came in the 28th minute when Mathew Uparela (Queens/Riverside H.S.) scored off an assist from William Pritchard (Jacksonville/Charles O. Dickerson H.S.). The lead grew to 2-0 in the 39th minute when Pritchard picked up another assist, this time helping Abdoul Diagouraga (Brooklyn/Keystone National H.S.) find the net.
Jeremy McGrath (Henderson Harbor/Belleville Henderson H.S.) earned his first collegiate shutout, recording two saves to anchor a strong team defensive effort.
Looking ahead
The Panthers play at Onondaga Community College on Saturday, September 3.