Men's Soccer Earns Playoff Berth Following Strong Finish
CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. - The Finger Lakes Community College men's soccer team has earned themselves a trip to the NJCAA Region III playoffs following an impressive streak to conclude the regular season. After starting the year 1-6, the Lakers would go on to win 5 of their next 6 matches to improve to 6-7; good enough to earn the #8 seed in the NJCAA Region III playoffs.
The Lakers will host the #9 Tompkins Cortland Community College Panthers this Sunday, October 22nd at 12pm on the FLCC Multi-use Turf for the Opening Round of the NJCAA Region III playoffs. The two teams met earlier in the season on October 7th. In that match the teams would head into the break tied 1 apiece before the Lakers pulled away in the second half to secure a 4-1 victory over the Panthers. The Lakers' impressive finish to the regular season came as no surprise as the team, despite their slow start, remained competitive in every match. Their competitive play was highlighted by a strong performance against the #2 nationally ranked Genesee Community College Cougars who the Lakers fell to by a score of 3-1 but would go into halftime with tied 1 apiece.
The Lakers' dynamic offense has been led by winger Vojtech Bartosek (Prague, Czech Republic/Anglicko-Ceske Gymnazium Amazon) who has netted 6 goals while leading the Lakers in assists with 9; good for a team-high 21 points this season. Not far behind is striker Daniel Medina (Mexico City, Mexico/Tec Monterrey Santa Fe) who leads the Lakers in goals with 8. The Lakers offense has been complimented by midfielders Marius Dalidet (Oullins, France/Saint Thomas D'Aquin-Veritas) and Joao Antonio Rocha (Sergipe, Brazil/Colegio Master). Dalidet has found the back of the net 6 times this season while using his playmaking abilities to set up his teammates with 3 assists. Rocha has found the back of the net 5 times while dishing out 4 assists; good for 14 points this season.
Strong defensive play by sophomore Riley Green (London, England/Ben Herd Pro Performance Academy) has been complimented by offensive opportunities for the center back who has netted 3 goals and set up his teammates with 2 assists.
The Lakers will look to earn another win against the Panthers this weekend to advance to the NJCAA Region III Semifinals for a shot against the #1 Mohawk Valley Community College Hawks who the Lakers have yet to play this season. Come out and show your support for the team or tune into the FLCC Athletics livestream with the link below.