The men’s soccer team came up just short of advancing to the title game at the Doug May Classic, falling to Rochester Institute of Technology 4–2 in penalty kicks Saturday. The Blue and Gold fought to their second straight 1–1 tie in regular time before losing in penalty kicks.
The Bombers, playing their first road game — and Empire 8 opponent of the season, fell behind early in the first half when RIT sophomore forward Matt Broedel scored off a loose ball in the Ithaca penalty area in the 15th minute to give the Tigers the lead.
Almost mirroring Wednesday’s season opener against SUNY-Geneseo, the Blue nand Gold got off to a much better start in the second half. In the 67th minute, sophomore forward Ben Lloyd beat RIT goalkeeper Sean Conway with a chip shot over his head to tie the game at one. It was Lloyd’s second career goal and his second in two games this season.
In the shootout, RIT senior midfielder Brett Dietz sent the winning penalty kick past senior goalkeeper Justin Parlapiano — who recorded six saves on seven shots on goal in the game. Sophomore midfielders Brennan Edmonds and Jack Shirley did score in the shootout but freshman forward James Shankland and senior midfielder Jeff Geyer missed their shots for the Bombers.
The Blue and Gold, now 0-0-2 on the season, will play either Nazareth College or SUNY-Brockport in the Doug May Classic’s third place game at 2 p.m. tomorrow.
