Castine, ME: The SUNY Cobleskill men's soccer team opened North Atlantic Conference play with a 1-1 draw at Maine Maritime Academy on Saturday afternoon, highlighted by a second-half wonder goal from sophomore Joshua Sanchez (Bronx, NY/New Visions).

Sanchez brought the Tigers level in the 47th minute with a sensational left-footed volley from 15 yards out, burying the ball into the top corner after a Cobleskill corner kick was only partially cleared. He finished with a team-high three shots, joined by senior Spencer Reisman (Youngstown, NY/Lewiston Porter), who also tallied three shots while dictating much of the Tigers' play in midfield. Sanchez, Reisman, Gavin McEnroe (Burlington Flats, NY/Edmeston), Connor Fancher (Worcester, NY), and Tyler Szarek (Westmoreland, NY) all tested the keeper with shots on frame.

In goal, junior Joe Wille (Gilboa, NY) stood tall for Cobleskill, recording six saves, including several strong stops and key interceptions as the Mariners pressed forward late in the match.
The contest was evenly matched on the stat sheet, with Maine Maritime holding a narrow 15-14 edge in total shots and a 7-5 advantage in shots on target. Corners favored the hosts 6-3, while fouls were nearly even in what proved to be a physical NAC opener.

The Mariners struck first just two minutes into the game when Holden Nichols launched a long-range strike into the top corner for a 1-0 lead. Both sides created opportunities through the remainder of the half, but the Tigers went into the break trailing by a goal.

Cobleskill responded immediately after halftime with Sanchez's equalizer, shifting momentum back in their favor. The Tigers nearly found a late winner in the final minutes when Reisman picked out Declan McCracken (South Kortright, NY) at the back post, but his effort went wide as the match ended 1-1.

Up Next:
The Fighting Tigers continue their NAC road trip on Sunday, September 14, when they face Thomas College at 2:30 p.m. in Waterville, Maine.