Men’s Soccer Win It in the 88th Minute Against SMCC

Paul Smiths, NY ~ The United States Collegiate Ahletic Association (USCAA) fifth-ranked Paul Smith's College Bobcats hosted the seventh-ranked Southern Maine Seawolves on Sunday in a midseason battle that saw both teams take their chances to move up in the poll.

It was all Bobcats from the opening kickoff as they controlled the ball and the pace of play, creating some early chances through Nick Grover (Batavia, NY).  The best one came from a ball played back across the middle for the onrushing Bryce Calderwood (Liverpool, NY), who barely missed the chance to open the scoring.

But the Seawolves made the initial breakthrough, against the run of play.  It was a class finish as the attacking player took down a long crossing ball and hit an inch-perfect shot that tickled the far post on it's way past Bobcat goalkeeper Cazmir Couble (Spofford, NH).  The goal invigorated the Seawolves as the game settled into a stalemate, with neither team able to find the second goal of the contest going into halftime.

The Bobcats didn't waste time after the break as captain Tim Romero (Pueblo, CO), with some help from Calderwood and Kagan Hance (Chester, VT), scored in the 47th minute on a corner that the Seawolves couldn't clear – tying the game at 1-1.

The reenergized Bobcats again took control of the game, finding a second goal 20 minutes later in the 68th minute after Romero was brought down near the edge of the box.  Liam Curthoys (Rhinebeck, NY) stepped up to strike the free kick, hitting another wondergoal past the goalkeeper at the back post to make it 2-1 Bobcats.

But the Seawolves weren't done.  After a soft foul call on Jacob Butler (New Gloucester, ME) in the 81st minute the Seawolves were able to bring the game back to level on a great header that just barely found it's way under Couble.

The Bobcats broke the deadlock to find the victory with just over two minutes to play as Curthoys played a long ball over the top for Zane Busch (Carthage, NY).  As he got onto the ball, Busch slipped a pass wide to an open Grover who settled the the ball and slotted it home for victory.

"It was a hard fought win with a huge amount of passion and energy from the team," said Busch
after making a critical play at the end of the game.

Romero reflected on the win at against a top-10 opponent, stating "The guys knew the importance of winning this game.  Everyone did their job and there's more to come with the win. It felt great to defend our home field."

Asked about his role in the victory, Curthoys summed up the attitude in the team.

"Success is no accident," continued Curthoys, "It is hard work, perseverance, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing, and we surely showed that during the game!"

The Bobcats sit at 7-1-1 overall and occupy second place in the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) at 3-1.  They have an important two-game weekend as they take on York County on Saturday at 12pm and Hampshire Sunday at 2:30pm, with both games being play at home at the PSC soccer field.

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.