FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sweet Victory! Gators down Purchase 4-0
TROY, NY – Sage defeated reigning Skyline Champion Purchase in a thrilling 4-0 win.
The Gators got off four unanswered shots by freshman River Seybolt along with two corners in the first 18 minutes.
Purchase (2-8, 1-2 Skyline) teed off their first shot of the game in the 21st minute from Denes Kostel, but he was denied by Sage goalie TJ Zehner.
It looked as though Sage's (6-2-2, Skyline 2-0-1) Mu'Ammar Camara was going to score on the counter attack, but the forward was unlucky and hit the post.
13 minutes later, James Lagunas found the back of the net and put the Gators up 1-0 on his third goal of the season after going on a breakaway up the middle off a Peter Fabrykiewicz pass.
After outshooting the Panthers 9-2 in the first half, Sage continued to pressure the strength of Purchase's defense. After eight minutes of play in the second half, Camara scored his second goal of the season on a fast break down the right side of the goal to put the Gators up 2-0.
Purchase's best opportunity of the second half came in the 71st minute off an Isaac Lee shot, but Zehner was once again in the way of a Panther goal.
Even with sheets of rain for the entire second half, Sage was relentless in creating opportunities on offense.
Fabrykiewicz scored his fourth goal of the season off a header by Luis Teran across the face of the goal in the 77th minute to put Sage up 3-0.
With less than five minutes to play in regulation, Derlis Zayas scored his first goal of the season off a ricocheted off a Heriberto Gomez shot to ensure the 4-0 victory.
Zehner and the defense of Kyle LeClerc, Andrew Bartoah, Paul Reynoso and Teran recorded their fourth straight shutout. The defensive crew has totaled seven shutouts on the season.
Purchase's Esteban Aguilar (2-6) totaled six saves with Zehner (6-2-2) recorded three.
Seybolt and Fabrykiewicz combined for nine of Sage's 21 shots.
Fabrykiewicz now leads the Gatos with 10 points, four goals, and two assists.
Sage remains undefeated in Skyline play. With tonight's win, the Gators move into second place, just two points behind Farmingdale State.
Sage starts the second half of their season on the road on Sat., Oct. 3 at the College of Mt. St. Vincent. The Skyline contest is set to begin at 1:00 p.m.
