Box Score
The Laker men's soccer team took a corner kick in the final minute of play that was narrowly played out of the penalty box to help RIT preserve a 1-0 win on Tuesday afternoon in Oswego. The lone score of the physical contest came at 22:49 when Todd Gaolocher scored off a Tiger corner kick. It was the first game of the season for both squads as the Lakers fell to 0-1-0 and RIT moved to 1-0-0.
The first 20 minutes featured few scoring opportunities as both teams struggled to generate another quality opportunities. It was not until the Tigers' Jeff Diaz took a corner kick setting up Bret Dietz, who managed to get the ball to Todd Gaolocher. Gaolocher got the ball past Oswego State goalkeeper Matt Wopperer (Jr., Manilus, N.Y.) at the 22:49 mark. RIT continued to control play for the remainder of the first half, but the Lakers kept the visitors off of the scoreboard as they went into intermission trailing 1-0.
Oswego State came out in the second half more aggressive, which resulted in some scoring chances early in the period. The best scoring opportunity came when Bryan Pacchiana (So., Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.) drilled a ball from long range on the side of the field near the midway point of the half. It appeared as if the ball would sneak over the outstretched hand of Tiger goalkeeper Bora Turgut when it hit the crossbar and deflected out of play. The Lakers continued to work the ball into the RIT zone as the game clock dwindled down. Near the end of regulation, Felipe Cavalcanti (Sr., Valatie, N.Y.) went one-on-one with a Tiger defender, but was unable to break away for a strong shot on Turgut. Oswego State was awarded a corner kick on the play in which Cavalcanti sent the ball from left to right into the penalty box. RIT made the initial contact, but was unable to control the ball resulting in a scramble in front of the net before Turgut was able to gain possession with 12 seconds remaining.
Both teams combined to commit 26 fouls as frequent whistles stopped either team from getting into a rhythm on the field. The Tigers owned a 12-8 shot advantage with the majority of the shots coming in the first half, as well as a 7-3 edge in corner kicks.
The Lakers begin a four-game road trip on Saturday with a game against the University of Rochester at the Flower City Tournament at 7 p.m.
