Top 10 Moments of 2020-21: Men's Soccer Beats Rival Redhawks, 3-1

7/9/2021 10:46:00 AM

By: CONTACT: Mike Miranto, Sr. Associate A.D. for External Operations & Communications | (716) 839-8385 | mmiranto@daemen.edu

AMHERST, N.Y. - On Wednesdays and Fridays this summer, daemenwildcats.com will feature stories that look back upon the top 10 moments of the 2020-21 season. Record-setting performances, important wins and history-making achievements will be documented in the series.

THE MOMENT:
Men's Soccer Beats Rival Redhawks, 3-1

Great TEAM victory... pic.twitter.com/mE5T1N5Fu0
— Daemen Men's Soccer (@DaemenMSOC) April 25, 2021

Some wins just feel bigger than others.

That was the exact sentiment following Daemen's 3-1 victory over Roberts Wesleyan on April 25. It was the exclamation point in an unorthodox season for the Wildcats, one that was shortened and played in the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It felt that way not just because the win came over the Wildcats' long-time rivals from Rochester, but more so because you could feel the intensity of the game. It had the feel of a conference championship match.

The Wildcats, who had dropped a 4-2 decision to the same RWC team four weeks prior, jumped out early in this one. With goals from Michel Hölscher (Hamminkeln, Germany), Christian Lewin (Bobenheim-Roxheim, Germany) and Alexander Khademi (Stockholm, Sweden) - all in the first 30 minutes of the contest - the Wildcats looked poised to run away with things.

But, momentum swung in the Redhawks' favor when sophomore Chris Cox (Buffalo, N.Y.) was issued a red card in the 34th minute, forcing the Wildcats to play a man down. Junior goalkeeper Marcos Lerma Escobar (Zaragoza, Spain) stood tall between the pipes, facing 24 total shots and making a season-high 12 saves.

When the dust settled, the Wildcats had played the final 56 minutes a man down and surrendered only one goal. There were hugs and high-fives among the Daemen players who left everything they had on the pitch. It was an emotional scene, and perhaps a victory that could alter the course of the program. The Wildcats went on to defeat D'Youville 2-0 in their season finale, finishing the campaign with three straight victories to sit at 3-2 overall - the first season with a better than .500 winning percentage in program history.

"I was just very happy for the guys," said head coach Bediako Swan. "For a while now, it's always been Roberts and Daemen compared to the other ECC schools, so that rivalry, that drive is there. The fact that they beat us at home - at their home field - it was pretty exciting to see that we were able to, I guess, return the favor."

It was Daemen's first win over the Redhawks since 2018. All five of Daemen's wins in the all-time series have come since 2013 with the Wildcats owning a 5-4-1 advantage since then.

MORE COVERAGE
Full Game Recap
Photo Gallery
Highlights

LOOK BACK - ADDITIONAL TOP 10 MOMENTS OF 2020-21

Daemen College features the premier NCAA Division II athletics program in the Buffalo-Niagara region, sponsoring 18 intercollegiate teams. For the latest information on Daemen Athletics, follow the Wildcats via social media on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, or sign up to receive customizable news alerts, e-mail newsletters and weekly schedule alerts.

Follow the Daemen College men's soccer program on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @DaemenMSOC.

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