ELMIRA, N.Y. – The SUNY Polytechnic Men's Soccer Team (6-11-2) played its final game of the season on Wednesday afternoon, a 2-0 loss on the road at the hands of the Elmira College Soaring Eagles (1-13-2). The game marked the first win of the year for Elmira, as the Soaring Eagles had played a brutal Empire 8 schedule heading into Wednesday's matchup.
Ronaldo Charlton netted his second score of the year on a long cross from Donte Donegal in the 35th minute, and Tony Barraco took advantage of a one-on-one in the 67th minute for the home team's second goal.
Jesse Yanarella (Wappingers Falls, N.Y. / Ketchum) made 6 saves for SUNY Poly in defeat, equaling the total for Austin Mansell on the other side of the field.
The Wildcats were out shot 22 to 15 on the day, but just 11 to 10 in the second half.
After winning three of the last four NEAC Championships, the SUNY Poly men's soccer team will no doubt look back on 2014-15 as a rebuilding year, as the 'Cats missed qualifying for the NEAC Tournament for the first time since joining the conference in 2008.
The good news for Wildcat fans is that the last time the team had a "down" season (in 2012, when the team was eliminated in the first round of the NEAC Tournament), they rebounded to win the conference championship and set a school record for wins the following season.