YONKERS, N.Y. — The Sarah Lawrence College men's soccer team played to a 1-1 draw against SUNY Canton in its home opener Saturday afternoon at Fleming Soccer Field.
The Gryphons (1-1-2) controlled much of the offensive action, finishing with advantages in shots (12-5), shots on goal (6-3), and corner kicks (5-4). Sarah Lawrence committed eight fouls, while SUNY Canton was whistled for 12. Three yellow cards were issued during the match, with one going to the Gryphons and two to the Kangaroos.
Freshman
Rhys Roberts provided the equalizer in the 57th minute, scoring his first collegiate goal on a header. Junior
Ryan Gunderson recorded his first collegiate assist on the play.
SUNY Canton opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when Demetrius Blake Jr. found the top corner of the net to give the Kangaroos a 1-0 advantage.
Sarah Lawrence looked to answer before halftime, with
Dean Brown and
Chase Bolden registering shots in the ninth and 10th minutes, respectively.
Conner Jennings was issued a yellow card in the 38th minute as the Gryphons entered halftime trailing by one.
The Kangaroos created an early opportunity after the break, earning a corner kick in the 48th minute and forcing Sarah Lawrence goalkeeper
Jonah Zalis to make his first save of the afternoon.
The Gryphons then applied significant pressure, recording five shots—including two on goal—and earning five corner kicks over a seven-minute stretch beginning in the 49th minute.
That pressure paid off in the 57th minute when Roberts rose to head home Gunderson's service and level the match at 1-1. Sarah Lawrence continued to attack, adding two more shots in the same minute.
SUNY Canton's Josh Kubik and Kevin Hilario received yellow cards in the 61st and 64th minutes, respectively. The Gryphons registered two additional shots in the final 26 minutes, while the Kangaroos managed one, but neither side could find a game-winning goal.
Zalis finished with two saves for Sarah Lawrence, while SUNY Canton goalkeeper recorded five saves.
The Gryphons return to action Monday, September 14, when they host Medgar Evers in a nonconference matchup at Fleming Soccer Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
