Mathis nets two as Brockport advances to E8 Championship

By: Sharvani Regmi

BROCKPORT, N.Y. -- The second-seeded Brockport Men’s Soccer hosted the No. 3 Elmira Soaring Eagles in the Empire 8 Semifinals. Freshman Ryan Mathis led the way with two goals as the Golden Eagles defeated Elmira 3-1 to advance to the championship.

Brockport men's soccer team on November 5, 2025. (Photo Credit: Brockport Athletics)

“I think the guys worked very hard,” Brockport Men’s Soccer Associate Head Coach Dan Lynd said. “It was a really good performance and terrible weather, and I am really proud of the way they worked. They responded well when Elmira got one late in the second half. To come down and score right away, it really shows our improvement in the area. One more to go.”  

Mathis scored the first two goals of the game. The first was the lone goal of the opening 45 as Mathis found the back of the net 26 minutes in. The freshman’s second goal came during the 62^nd minute. Both scores were assisted by senior Brady Reinagel.  

Brockport men's soccer team on November 5, 2025. (Photo Credit: Brockport Athletics)

With the night, Mathis increases his goal total to seven, leading the Golden Eagles.  

Elmira found the back of the net in the 77^th minute of the second half to cut the lead to one. But, just three minutes later junior Jadin Lyle sealed the game for Brockport with a goal thanks to an assist from senior Max Voyer.

“We started in the back, and we pressed up as a team,” Lyle said. “It was me and Voyer and Voyer passed to me and then we scored. So, it was a great team goal.”

Brockport goalkeeper AJ Nelson made three key saves during the match, all of which were in the second half. Brockport outshot Elmira in the first half by 9-6 whereas, Elmira outshot Brockport by 11-9.

“We can win it all,” Voyer said. “We can redeem ourselves from Freshman year when we reached the SUNYAC final me, Alex (Rivara), (Josh) Bird and Jayden Lyle made the whole run. He made that play happen so, it was only right. It ended with him putting one in the back of the net.”

Brockport men's soccer team on November 5, 2025. (Photo Credit: Brockport Athletics)

With the semifinals win, Brockport improved to 11-4-3 overall and 8-1-2 in the conference play. The Golden Eagles will be traveling to SUNY Geneseo on Saturday, Nov. 8 to face the Knights in the title fight. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.