The Tompkins Cortland Community College men's soccer team dug too big of a hole early, eventually falling 4-1 to Jefferson Community College on Wednesday. The home loss drops the Panthers to 5-3-2 overall and 0-2-0 in the Mid-State Athletic Conference. Jefferson 5-6 overall and 3-3 in the MSAC.
The trouble started early for the Panthers as a handball in the box gave Jefferson a penalty kick and a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute of play. The Cannoneers added three more scores over the next 20 minutes, pushing the lead to 4-0 before the Panthers finally broke through. In the 38th minute, George Dickinson (Castleford, England/Ackworth School) took a pass from Victor Santos (Belo Horizonte, Brazil/SESI Emilia Massanti) and beat the Jefferson keeper with a blast from 30 yards out, making the score 4-1 heading into the halftime.
Neither team could find the net in the second half, which was highlighted by a save by Tompkins Cortland Jeremy McGrath (Henderson Harbor/Belleville Henderson H.S.) on a penalty kick. McGrath finished the day with 12 saves.
Looking ahead
The Panthers are back in action Saturday at home against Finger Lakes Community College.