PURCHASE, N.Y. – Sophomore Ivan Pudelka scored twice, including the game-winning goal in the second half, as the Sarah Lawrence College men's soccer team earned its first Skyline Conference victory of the season with a 2-1 win over Yeshiva University on Wednesday, September 23, at Purchase College.
The Gryphons improve to 3-3-3 overall and 1-1-0 in Skyline Conference play, while the Maccabees fall to 2-2-2 overall and 0-2-2 in conference action.
Sarah Lawrence held a 12-11 advantage in shots, including a 7-3 edge in shots on target. The Gryphons also earned four corner kicks to Yeshiva's three.
Yeshiva struck first in the 16th minute, scoring on its second shot of the evening to take a 1-0 lead.
The Gryphons responded just 15 seconds later when senior Connor Saul recorded Sarah Lawrence's first shot of the night, forcing the Maccabees' first save.
Sarah Lawrence continued to pressure the Yeshiva defense, and its persistence paid off in the 37th minute. Senior Dylan Peavoy found Pudelka, who finished the opportunity to level the match at 1-1. The assist marked Peavoy's first of the season and second of his career.
Saul added another shot on target in the 43rd minute, but neither team could find the breakthrough before halftime.
The Gryphons outshot the Maccabees 5-2 in the opening half, including a 3-1 advantage in shots on target.
Yeshiva came out aggressively after the break, recording three shots in the opening nine minutes. Senior goalkeeper Jonah Zalis made one of his two saves during the early second-half pressure.
The Gryphons regained control as the half progressed. Sophomore Kairos Diaz registered two shots in the 58th and 63rd minutes, with the latter forcing a save.
Two minutes later, Pudelka delivered again.
In the 65th minute, Pudelka found the back of the net for his second goal of the night, putting Sarah Lawrence ahead 2-1 and giving him three goals on the season.
Yeshiva generated five additional shots over the final 15 minutes but could not find an equalizer, as the Gryphons' defense held firm. Sarah Lawrence recorded its final three shots of the night, including two on target.
Zalis played all 90 minutes in goal, making two saves to help preserve the Gryphons' first conference victory of the season.
With his two-goal performance, Pudelka now leads Sarah Lawrence with eight points on the season, tallying three goals and two assists.
Wednesday's victory marked Sarah Lawrence's third all-time win over Yeshiva and second consecutive, improving the Gryphons' overall record against the Maccabees to 3-12-1.
Sarah Lawrence returns to action on Saturday, September 26, when the Gryphons host Purchase College in a 3 p.m. Skyline Conference matchup.
