BRONX, N.Y. – The Lehman College men's soccer team overcame an early 2-0 deficit to take the lead, but ultimately lost a 4-3 heartbreaker to visiting Baruch College Wednesday night. The physical game was a rematch of last season's CUNYAC Championship match, which was won by Lehman.

After Baruch (7-4-3, 5-0-2 CUNYAC) took a 2-0 lead at halftime, the Lightning (3-11-1, 2-4 CUNYAC) played inspired to start the second half. At the 50 minute mark, senior Oumar Niang (Bronx, N.Y./Manhattan Center) finally broke through for Lehman. Six and a half minutes later, freshman Aleh Kazak (Minsk, Belarus) got the equalizer on a scrum in front.

In the 65^th minute, Lehman took the lead on a set piece. Sophomore Will Arbieto-Lopez (Lima, Peru/Norwalk) took a corner from the keeper's right, and sent the ball into the box. Niang deftly headed the ball in, and Lehman had unbelievably taken a 3-2 lead.

Both teams heated up, and chances flowed. Senior Moussa Toure (Paris, France/Charles de Gaulle), making his first career appearance in goal for Lehman, made several of his five saves late in the game. Baruch's keeper, Helder Correia, matched him save for save.

Finally, with three minutes to go in regulation, Baruch's Oren Kozlowski took advantage of a mad scramble in front of the Lehman goal, and knotted the game at three goals apiece.

As play restarted, Lehman attacked, and junior Irving Posada (Bronx, N.Y./ISLYP) had a golden opportunity, but his shot hit the post and bounced back into play. Baruch then countered, and got the eventual game-winner from Victor Cruz, again from right in front of the goal during a scramble.

For the game, Niang had two goals to lead Lehman. Kazak and added one goal and one assist, while Arbieto-Lopez had a pair of assists. For Baruch, Cruz had two goals in the game.

Up next for Lehman are the Staten Island Dolphins, who travel up to the Bronx for a match on Saturday, October 13.