The most unusual men's soccer season came to a close Friday with Tompkins Cortland Community College hosting Monroe Community College. The visiting Tribunes handed the Panthers a 4-1 defeat, ending Tompkins Cortland's season with a record of 0-5-1; Monroe finishes 2-3-1.

As has been the case all season, the Panthers had chances. But on Friday, they capitalized on a chance. Trailing 1-0 after Monroe scored on a header in the 22^nd minute, the Panthers finally found the net in the 31^st minute of action when Mehdi Nya Louhaichy (Madrid, Spain/GED) played a pretty pass through the defense, hitting Terry Paw (Ithaca/Ithaca H.S.) down the middle of the field. Paw took the ball in stride and beat the keeper for the tying score. The game remained locked at 1-1 until the last minute of the half when Monroe tacked on a goal to take a 2-1 lead into the half.

The Panthers had a great chance to tie the game again midway through the second half. In the 61^st minute, Paw got a shot off from inside the box, but the Monroe keeper was up to the challenge, making a diving save and turning away the best chance for an equalizer. A goal in the 83^rd minute gave the Tribunes some breathing room, and another score in the 87^th put the game out of reach.  

Steve Cowulich (Berkshire/Newark Valley H.S.) had another solid game in goal. He registered three saves, but worked with defenders Diego Castellot (Marathon/Marathon H.S.), Simon Brand (Ithaca/Ithaca H.S.), Ade Ademoyo (Binghamton/Seton Catholic H.S.), and Braden Russell (Freeville/Dryden H.S.) to make plays that nipped other scoring chances before they could develop.

After having the traditional fall season postponed due to the pandemic, Tompkins Cortland and Monroe were among the seven schools in Region 3 that participated in the abbreviated spring season. All the teams had to adjust to new protocols, as well as remain flexible with game and practice schedules. Regardless of their records, the season was a success for all the teams that gave their student-athletes the opportunity to play this spring.