QUEENS, N.Y. — The SUNY Old Westbury men's soccer team built a two-goal advantage in the first half, but Yeshiva University rallied after halftime to earn a 5-4 victory over the Panthers on Wednesday, October 28, at York College.
Old Westbury scored four times in the opening 27 minutes and carried a 4-2 lead into the break. However, Yeshiva scored three unanswered goals in the second half to complete the comeback.
The Panthers opened the scoring at 3:14 when Stratos Mehalakes found the back of the net off an assist from Johan Gran. Yeshiva answered at 6:10 through Franco Busso, but Old Westbury quickly regained the advantage.
At 10:22, Alexander Joergensen converted a pass from Wilmer Reyes Martinez to put the Panthers ahead 2-1. Joergensen struck again at 15:01, finishing a feed from Gran to extend the lead to 3-1.
Yeshiva cut the deficit to one at 17:34 when Omri Vashdi scored off an assist from Ariel Diner. Old Westbury responded at 26:42 as Isaac Ronquillo Malanco scored following another assist from Gran, giving the Panthers a 4-2 advantage.
Gran finished the first half with three assists, contributing to three of Old Westbury's four goals. The Panthers recorded seven shots in the opening period, while Yeshiva attempted 14.
Old Westbury looked to maintain its lead after halftime, but Yeshiva began its comeback in the 65th minute. Uri Aron scored at 64:31 off an assist from Busso to bring the visitors within one. Busso then scored unassisted at 65:41, leveling the contest at 4-4.
The Panthers continued to search for a go-ahead goal, putting nine shots toward the net in the second half. Ronquillo Malanco nearly restored the lead at 67:28, but his attempt struck the woodwork.
Yeshiva ultimately took its first lead of the contest at 83:35 when Busso completed his hat trick, finishing a pass from Diner to make it 5-4.
Old Westbury continued pressing in the closing minutes, but Yeshiva goalkeeper Abraham Gabay made several second-half saves to preserve the visitors' advantage.
