Both Roberts Wesleyan soccer teams saw first-half leads evaporate as they dropped a season-opening doubleheader at home.
The Redhawks women jumped out to a 1-0 lead in their match with LeMoyne as senior midfielder Genevieve Palmer sent a lead pass down the right wing to freshman forward Olivia Grande, who was able to sneak the ball past a charging goalkeeper for her first collegiate goal.
LeMoyne tied the game just 15 seconds prior to halftime converting a free kick from midfield on a header just under the crossbar.
The Dolphins then netted goals in the 67th and 86th minutes of the second half to secure the win.
“I liked our energy and we showed a lot of depth; we didn’t lose anything with our subs,” fourth year head coach Sarah McClellan said. “The late first half goal I think deflated us going into the half. Up a goal is better and I think it gave them life.
“We’re only going to get better. We were a little unlucky and were a bit unconfident in the first third.”
The team is coming off a 5-9-2 overall record during 2018 season and features six local players in Kendall grads Taylor and Maya Rutland, fellow senior forward McKennzie Muir (Churchville-Chili), junior forward Emily Romig of Hilton, freshman forward Victoria Biscotti of the Cadets and sophomore defender Makenzie Muoio of Byron-Bergen.
The men trailed 1-0 just 5:43 into their opener with Walsh but tied the contest 1-1 as sophomore Alex Perez Vega’s direct kick found classmate Dylan Ruiz, whose shot deflected off the goalkeeper’s hands and into the net.
The Redhawks took a 2-1 lead just three minutes later as senior Terrell Spencer pounded in the rebound from his own attempt.
But a red card about midway through the first half forced Roberts to play shorthanded for over 60 minutes and the wear and tear showed late in the contest.
Walsh scored the tying goal with 6:49 remaining in regulation and Redhawks sophomore goalkeeper Joe McNulty came charging out to make a sprawling stop with just five seconds left to send the game into overtime.
Both teams had scoring opportunities in the first overtime, but it was Walsh converting at 4:42 of the second overtime to steal the win.
McNulty, a Brockport High grad, finished with five saves. Senior defender Dan Reger, a Spencerport product, started and played 87 minutes.
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