Sept. 5, 2004
Syracuse, N.Y. -
Tal Sheinfeld (Even Yehoda, Israel) scored the game winner with under 20 minutes remaining in the second half to give the Panthers their first victory of the season. The win is the first for Adelphi on Syracuse's home field since 1990 and the second straight win in the series. With the victory Adelphi evens their record at 1-1 on the season, while the Orange stay winless at 0-2.
The Panthers came out with energy and played strong but the Orange controlled the early action. Just over ten minutes into action Syracuse's Ezra Prendergast (Kingston, Jamaica) slipped past the Adelphi defense and was one-on-one with Panther goalie Peter Ruff (Bethpage, N.Y.). Ruff made an outstanding sliding save to keep the game scoreless.
But with 14:08 left to play in the first Isaac Collings (Oriskany, N.Y.) curled a corner kick into the Adelphi goal to put the Orange ahead 1-0. The Panthers seemed energized by the goal and controlled the next 10 minutes of action, putting together some quality rushes at the Syracuse that finished just off the mark.
With just over a minute left in the first half Adelphi used a quick restart to their advantage. Sheinfeld played a quick ball to Dieudonne Nonga (Jamaica, N.Y.) who swept down the right flank and sent a ball across the mouth of the goal to a waiting Matt Smith (Warwick, N.Y.) who converted, knotting the game at one.
The Panthers struck again just over 15 minutes to play in regulation as Steven Heisler (Deer Park, N.Y.) slide the ball to Nonga who played a square ball to Sheinfeld. Sheinfeld collected the ball in traffic and managed to slot it into the lower left corner of the Orange net, giving the Panthers a 2-1 lead.
Syracuse ratcheted up the pressure after the goal and watched several solid opportunities glance wide or high. With 14:22 left to play freshman Pete Rowley (Reading, Pa.) crossed a ball to a waiting Richard Asante (North York, Ontario), who had a point blank look at Adelphi's goal but struck the ball over the cross bar. Again at the nine minute mark Rowley was in all alone on Ruff only to see his shot stray wide right of the goal.
Syracuse's final opening came when Mike McCallion (Ballston Lake, N.Y.) cut down the right sideline and managed to beat Adelphi's off sides trap. McCallion was all alone with Ruff who made a huge sliding save to prevent the goal and seal Adelphi's 2-1 win. Ruff collected five saves in the win while Rich Sheer (Livingston, N.J.) made three saves for the Orange.
The Panthers return to action Wednesday, September 8 when they play host to visiting Drexel University at 4 pm on Stiles Field.
