NEW YORK — A goal by rookie Lucca Novi (The Woodlands, Texas) in the 89th minute broke a scoreless deadlock as the Pratt Institute men's soccer team defeated SUNY Cobleskill 1-0 in its home opener Friday at Randall's Island.

The win snapped a 21-game winless streak that dated back to a 2-0 victory over Gwynedd Mercy at home on Oct. 9, 2024. 

The first half was scoreless, with both sides evenly matched and neither gaining prime scoring opportunities – Cobleskill leading three shots to one in the half.

Pratt controlled the second stanza, out-shooting the visitors 8-2 after the intermission. Hanrahan stopped three more Pratt attempts — Pavel Emam (Arlington, Va.) in the 54th minute and Dylan Costa (Cresskill, N.J.) in both the 72nd and 74th minutes.

With three minutes remaining in regulation, Cobleskill appeared to take a 1-0 lead with a shot from close range in traffic, but the play was flagged offside in the 87th minute. Less than two minutes later, Pratt answered.

Novi found the back of the net with 90 seconds remaining in regulation. Mathias Storrer (São Paulo, Brazil) sent a long ball from midfield that Costa headed into the box, and Novi volleyed it over the Fighting Tiger keeper and just under the crossbar. It was Novi's first goal of his collegiate career, and it stood as game-winning tally as Cobleskill couldn't get another shot off.

Costa finished with a team-high four shots, three on goal, to go with his assist on the winner. Storrer picked up the secondary assist in his first appearance of the season. Pettit played the full 90 minutes and finished with one save for his first collegiate clean sheet.

Spencer Reisman led Cobleskill with three shots, one on goal, and Michael Neaton also put a shot on frame. Sean Hanrahan made four saves in the loss.

Pratt held a 9-5 edge in shots, a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal and a 5-3 edge in corner kicks. 

Pratt returns to Randall's Island on Tuesday, Sept. 8, hosting Keystone College for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.