Freshman Bismark Appiah scored his first collegiate goal tonight in overtime, as the Lehman College men’s soccer team completed a 4-3 come-from-behind win over visiting York College.
Senior Geovanny Arredondo set up the heroics by crossing the ball from the keeper’s left to the right, where Appiah headed the ball into an open goal at the far post.
York (0-8-1, 0-3-1 CUNYAC) had taken an early 2-0 lead on goals by Sonam Sherpa, but could not hold it. The first goal came on a direct kick, and the second after Lehman’s reserve keeper Maurice Whyte (Kingston, Jamaica/Kingston College), who had just entered the game in emergency fashion, bobbled the ball in front.
Junior Momar Thiam (New York, N.Y.) and senior Oumar Niang (Bronx, NY/Manhattan Center) quickly scored back-to-back goals for Lehman (2-7-1, 1-1 CUNYAC) to tie the score midway through the first half. Both teams managed to settle down, and the score remained 2-2 through the half.
In the second session, Lehman took a 3-2 lead on a set piece. Sophomore Wilfredo Arbieto-Lopez (Lima, Peru/Norwalk) took a corner kick and sent the ball into the box, where Thiam headed it into the goal. The game stayed at 3-2 until the 80th minute, when York’s Brian Amaya was presented with a gift. Lehman’s Whyte was able to intercept a crossing pass, but he sent the ball straight to Amaya, who easily tied the game, setting up overtime.
In the overtime session, Lehman controlled play. After earning a corner kick, play continued in front of the York keeper, until Arredondo (Yonkers, NY/Yonkers) found enough space to make the crossing pass to Appiah (Bronx, NY/Frederick Douglas).
The entire game was very physical, with six different players getting booked with yellow cards.
Whyte earned the win in goal for the Lightning, playing more than 75 minutes. He made one save.
Lehman looks to continue its inspired play on Saturday, travelling to Randall’s Island to face a tough City College side at 9:30 a.m.