Bobcats Continue to Dominate in Home Opener

Paul Smiths, NY ~ In the 5th minute of the 5th game, Cazmir Couble (Spofford, NH) and the Paul Smith's College Men's Soccer Team finally gave up their first goal of the 2024 season to Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) Player of the Week Joseph Mathews from Word of Life Bible Institute (WOLBI).

That goal wasn't nearly enough to earn a win for the Huskies in the Bobcats' YSCC opener, as the high scoring hosts equalized through Liam Curthoys (Rhinebeck, NY) just over 10 minutes later in the 15th minute.  Over the next 10 minutes the Bobcats would find two more to take a commanding lead.

Tied at 1-1, hard working forward Nick Grover (Batavia, NY) picked the pocket of a hapless Husky center back before deftly firing the ball past the charging goalkeeper to put the Bobcats in front.  Both the Huskies and Bobcats continued to battle as the game hung in the balance.  Eventually, the Bobcats won a corner.  The Huskies were unable to clear the ball away from danger before Bobcat Captain Tim Romero (Pueblo, CO) put the ball into the back of the net to extend the lead to 3-1. 

Led by Romero, the Bobcat back line of Kagan Hance (Chester, VT), Jacob Butler (New Gloucester, ME), and Agus Putrawan (Gili Trawangan, Indonesia) was solid all evening, strangling the Huskies into taking low-quality shots from outside the box.  Newcomers Kolin Bijeaux (Beaux Bridge, LA), Mason Rumble (Watertown, NY), and Luke Malin (Poland, NY) were equally stout when called upon to close the game out.  Goalkeeper Cazmir Couble was excellent as usual in the victory, commanding the box and making a few tough saves.

After half time it was more of the same, with the tenacious Bobcat defense creating turnover after turnover into chances at goal.  Several chances later, Cody Hansen finished a Romero service to the near post, capping another excellent day for the midfielder.

4-1, Bobcats.

At 4-1, Man of the Match Liam Curthoys took over the game, assisting Grover's second of the night before finding midfielder Nate Wiley (Wareham, MA).  The Curthoys-Wiley connection has been on fire all season, and they lead United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Men's Division II Soccer in assists and goals, respectively.

The Bobcat forward players including Grover, Riley Shone (Rochester, NY), Bryce Calderwood (Liveroool, NY), Gabe Freebern (North Creek, NY), and Zane Busch (Carthage, NY) were lively all night, with Busch and Freebern in particular running roughshod over the Huskies, getting in behind and causing general havoc in the Husky box.  It was only through some stellar goalkeeping that none of the forwards other than Grover found the back of the net.

The final tally of the night came on a quick free kick from senior midfielder Adam Holt (Spencerport, NY).  After Wiley was pulled down around 25 yards from the goal, Holt stepped up and shot quickly, his thunderous low strike catching the protesting Huskies unaware.

The Bobcat midfield, including Hanson, Wiley, and Curthoys, was dominant again in the victory.  Keith Vivlamore (Red Creek, NY) also shined in the midfield as he sprayed the ball around and nearly scored one of his own, as did late sub Xavier Rickell (Boston, MA).

The high-scoring Bobcats are off to a flying start, scoring nearly six goals per game, while allowing only one total goal against over their first five games for a remarkable 0.20 GAA.  The win improves the Bobcats record to 4-0-1 on the season and nets them a victory in the opening game of their YSCC campaign.

You can follow the men's soccer team on Instagram at @paulsmithsmsoc or follow the general athletics account at @smitty_nation for scores, highlights, pictures, and much more!

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At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. As the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith's provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences, and natural resources. We can draw on industries and resources available in our backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive, and adventurous individuals collectively provides experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at www.paulsmiths.edu.