Albany, N.Y. - MCLA's Junior Florent scored the golden goal eight minutes into the first overtime period that saw the NCAA DIII Trailblazers prevail on the road against ACPHS on Tuesday night.  What was a well managed game from the Panthers ultimately won't show up positively in the record books, but regardless, the team performed well and will have a lot to take with them entering a week and a half break before heading into YSCC Tournament play next Saturday.  

Despite a now 8-6 (4-1) record, the Panthers were rarely on the back foot this season.  Many of the games they played either fell in their favor, or were decided by a number of counter attack/split-possession goals.  On Tuesday, ACPHS knew they were in for a challenge against a larger MCLA.  A number of lineup and tactical changes made the game plan for ACPHS clear: defend well and strike on the counter.  Something they did well for 98 minutes.  

Although out shot 17-7, ACPHS stuck to their plan, and were able to put together some formidable opportunities, just failing to string together that final pass to see them through.  Their defense battled the entire way.  Led as always by Senior captain Blake Porter (Fort Ann, N.Y. / Fort Ann High School), and Jay Carlson (Saratoga Springs, N.Y. / Saratoga Springs High School) who saw a different role playing as a defensive midfielder, the Panthers back line was crucial in preventing a number of dangerous MCLA opportunities.  It was just until late in the first overtime that the MCLA winger, Florent, was able to turn inside and fire a shot low and wide into the back of the net.  

The result, following Sundays 4-0 defeat to Paul Smiths College, will sting for the time being, but now the Panthers will have one thing in mind: winning their conference championship.  A 4-1 record in conference will give the Panthers a good seeding that will subsequently be determined through matches happening elsewhere around the conference in the coming days.  What is certain now is that the Panthers will enter tournament play with a chip on their shoulder, feeling like they should have gotten more against a very respectable opponent in MCLA.

The sizable break will give the Panthers time to regain some fitness having battled injury all year.  Expecting a fully rested team for the YSCC Tournament next weekend, ACPHS will be looking to forget their recent losses quickly.