CAZENOVIA HEADS ITS WAY PAST EXPRESS

AURORA, N.Y. – The Cazenovia College Wildcats scored off a header with less than three minutes remaining, snapping a 1-1 tie, and sending the Wells College Express to a heartbreaking 2-1 loss in their final home game of the season. Logan Spaulding (Copenhagen, N.Y.) scored the game winner while Tim Hartill (Smithtown, N.Y.) finished with one goal and one assist to lead the Wildcats. Patrick O'Callaghan (Seldon, N.Y.) scored the lone goal for the Express. With the loss the Express fall to 6-10 (3-6 NEAC), while the Wildcats improve to 7-6-3 (6-1-3 NEAC).

Neither team generated any significant scoring opportunities until the Wildcats struck in the 26^th minute. Drawing a foul five yards outside the box, Hartill took the direct kick and, using a stutter step off the initial whistle, created just enough time to send a ball over the defensive wall and past a diving David Kaus (Erie, Pa.) for a 1-0 lead.

The Express rallied toward the end of the half, creating several scoring opportunities, including a header by Ryan Huggins (Cooperstown, N.Y.) that missed just left of the post as the score remained 1-0 heading into the break.

Building off the momentum generated at the end of the first half, the Express came out and immediately applied pressure to the Wildcat defense. Earning a corner less than a minute into the start of the half, Delroy Roberts (Kingston, Jamaica) initial attempt would be blocked but, the ball came back out to Roberts on the left side and, after a great individual move to create space, he sent a pass across the box over to a wide open O'Callaghan who just missed the ball as the Wildcats held on to their slim 1-0 advantage.

The Express continued to control the tempo of the game throughout the second half and would finally strike in the 56^th minute. Streaking in down the middle of the box, Patrick Sodums (Candor, N.Y.) tipped a cross off the goaltender and the deflection headed towards the top of the box directly onto the foot of O'Callaghan who blasted a shot to the lower right side of the goal tying the game at 1-1.

Both teams had opportunities to take the lead over the final minutes but in the end it would be the Wildcats who took the upper hand. Earning a corner with time winding down, Hartill sent a looping kick into the middle of the box that Spaulding was able to head past Kaus (2 saves) for the game winner with 2:30 remaining.

It was an evenly contested game throughout with Wells holding the advantage in shots on goal (8-4) and corner kicks (10-4). Riley Battaglini (Endicott, N.Y.) earned the victory in goal for the Wildcats with seven saves.

The Express close out their season on Saturday when the travel to take on NEAC opponent SUNY Cobleskill at 1 p.m. in Cobleskill, N.Y.