Anthony Hollenbrandt (9) of Sodus, NY heads downfield against Oswego State in the Sept. 6  match.   Morrisville lost in overtime, 4-3 

Photo by Bryce Stone, '07

The men’s soccer team rallied late in their Sept. 10 game against Hilbert College to post their first victory of the season.

Drew Ketchum's goal in the final two minutes of the consolation game at the Buffalo State tournament capped off a 3-goal outburst in the final three minutes.

Early in the second half, the Mustangs found themselves down 2-0. As time ran down, the Mustang’s chances of a comeback were dwindling. Gabe Parra-Merrell’s header to score off a Ketchum assist with under three minutes left in the contest brought new life to the team.

Segun Ajiboye's volley into the goal off a Joel Bezner header a minute later set the stage for the remarkable comeback. Bezner then hooked up with Ketchum just a minute after to give the Mustangs their first-ever Division III victory. Bezner chipped the ball over the Hilbert defense. Ketchum collected the ball, beat the goalkeeper, and sent the ball into the back of the net to put the Hilbert College Hawks away.

“We just clicked in the final three minutes,” said Bezner; the junior captain who plays midfield for the Mustangs. "Even in the final moments when we thought it was over, no one gave up and that determination was what won the game".

The Mustangs goal keeper Brad Reed recorded five saves in the victory and played well the whole game. The defense stepped up its play in the second half and did not allow a goal in the final forty minutes. “The first half we came out flat-footed, said Captain Andrew Stoneburg; a defensive player for Morrisville. “We really stepped it up and played well in the second half.”

The Mustangs had lost their first three Division III matches before their victory. The team lost to Elmira College 2-0; were defeated 4-3 in overtime versus Oswego State, and fell 7-0 against Medaille College in the first round of the Buffalo State Tournament on Sept 9.

Despite losing to Oswego State in their home opener, the Mustangs revealed various strengths. The team came out in the second half and came back before an exchange of scoring by both squads. They forced overtime before losing and gained much needed recognition as a new Division III squad.

The Mustangs had a chance to avenge their loss against the Medaille College Mavericks last on the road. They improved on their earlier 7-0 loss, but still dropped the rematch, 4-0.

Bezner said other teams may underestimate the Mustangs at their own expense during the second half of the season. “They’re going to come out and will be expecting to walk all over us.” he said. “We had a meeting that night (before Hilbert); the next day we really just played as a team.”