The fourth-ranked GCC men's soccer team opened its season at home on Wednesday afternoon against Monroe CC, ranked No. 15 nationally in the NJCAA Division I poll, and played the visiting Tribunes to a 2-2 draw, ending after two overtime periods.
Monroe put forth a solid defensive effort early keeping the Cougars off the board despite two shots on net in the first three minutes of the opening half. MCC broke the scoreless start with a goal in the ninth minute to grab a 1-0 lead.
GCC held MCC to just two shots the rest of the half but managed just two shots on net of its own and trailed 1-0 after 45 minutes.
The Cougars came out strong to start the second period and knotted the game at a goal apiece after cashing in on a penalty kick. Charles Livesey scored on the PK in the 55th minute, his first goal of the season.
After nearly 20 minutes of scoreless action the Tribunes retook the lead in the 72nd minute, but Genesee responded in the 80th minute to even the score at two. Livesey sent a cross into the box for Benjamin Seaton, who had his first shot stopped by a defender but managed to find the lower right corner on his second try to tie the game once again.
Neither team could end the game in regulation or after an even first period of overtime. Cougars' keeper David Ormiston, who made seven saves in net throughout the contest, kept the game tied in the first overtime with a sprawling left handed save that prevented a sure goal.
MCC saw the best opportunity to end the game with just over four minutes to play in the second extra session when it caught Ormiston out of the net. Glenn Holmes raced to challenge the ball in front of the empty net and made a sliding deflection that preserved the tie.
Genesee put 11 shots on the Monroe net and outshot the Tribunes 18-11 in the game. Both teams ended the afternoon with six corner kicks apiece.
Genesee (0-0-1) will return to action on Saturday on the road at Mohawk Valley CC. Kick-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.