A late first-half goal followed by two early second-half goals broke open a tight men's soccer game Friday night as the Tompkins Cortland Community College Panthers dropped a 3-0 final to Mercyhurst North East. It was the season opener for both the Panthers and the Saints, a Division I team from Pennsylvania.
The teams traded possessions early, with the Panthers putting together a few good runs without cashing in. It wasn't until 34th minute of play that Mercyhurst North East got on the board, giving the visitors the 1-0 lead heading into halftime. Goals in 53rd and 57th minutes made the score 3-0 early in the second half, but the Panthers weren't able to mount any comeback.
Friday's game was the lone one on the schedule against a non-Division III team. The Panthers dive into the heart of the schedule Wednesday with a Mid-State Athletic Conference contest at Jefferson Community College.