Two goals by William Pritchard (Jacksonville/Charles O. Dickerson H.S.) helped power the Tompkins Cortland Community College men's soccer team to a 3-2 win over Erie Community College in the team's home opener on Wednesday. The Panthers are now 2-2 overall and 2-1 in Region 3. Erie falls to 0-2 overall and in region.
The result of the game was good for the Panthers, but the start was not. Erie came out fast and pushed the action, producing a goal in the second minute of the game. The score woke up the home team, and Tompkins Cortland started to take control. After getting the better of play for most of the half, the first goal came in the 21st minute, and it was special. Playing from the defensive end, George Hodgkiss (Barnsley, England/Ackworth School) lofted a ball over the Erie defense at midfield, trying to connect with a streaking Panthers attack. The ball was too far for the attack, but bounced over the Erie goalkeeper and into the net. The goal energized the team, and four minutes later Pritchard put the Panthers in front, taking a pass from Abdoul Diagouraga (Brooklyn/Keystone National H.S.) and scoring his first career goal.
The score held at 2-1 until midway through the second, when Pritchard and Carlos Rivera (Ithaca/Lansing H.S.) teamed up on a pretty goal, with Rivera feeding a textbook-perfect corner kick into the box for Pritchard to put away with a header. The margin stood at 3-1 until the final minute when Erie converted a penalty kick with 31 seconds left to make the final 3-2
Jeremy McGrath (Henderson Harbor/Belleville Henderson H.S.) earned his second collegiate win, recording three saves. After the first goal, the entire defense stepped up and played very well, led by Hodgkiss, Sam Abbey (Elmira/Elmira H.S.), Joe Becraft (Elmira/Elmira H.S.), and Gavin Linton (Homer/Homer H.S.).
Looking ahead
The Panthers host Herkimer College Sunday, September 11. Kick-off with the #2-ranked Generals is set for 3:30 p.m.