Men's Soccer Off to Hot Start with Another Win

Johnson, VT ~ The Paul Smith's College men's soccer team is off to its best start in recent memeory after beating NCAA Division III Vermont State University at Johnson 3-0 on Sunday.  

After the Badgers earned an early corner the Bobcats settled in and controlled the flow of the game play while generating chances at goal through Nick Grover (Batavia, NY) and Man of the Match Nathan Wiley (Wareham, MA).  Wiley caused trouble for the Badgers all afternoon, consistently finding space behind the home squad, nearly opening the scoring as he attempted to push the ball around the goalkeeper early in the first half.  Only a desperate 1v1 dive from the Badger goalkeeper kept Wiley off the scoreboard.

The energy and pace of Bobcat wide players Bryce Calderwood (Liverpool, NY) and Riley Shone (Rochester, NY) began to wear the Badger defenses down.  When fresh outside players Gabe Freebern (North Creek, NY) and Zane Busch (Carthage, NY) were introduced midway through the half the Bobcats nearly found the opener.  A well-placed ball found senior midfielder Adam Holt (Spencerport, NY) who danced through the Badger back line on his way to the net.  The Badger goalkeeper again made a perfect play and closed the space to Holt.  Holt then unleashed a thunderous short-range blast from a tight angle just inches from the goalkeeper's chest.  The keeper was able to hold the shot, yet again digging the Badgers out from a seemingly impossible hole.

Although the Bobcats were in firm control of the match and creating dangerous scoring chances, the score remained tied at the half.  0-0 going into the second, but the scoreless tie wouldn't last long.

The Bobcats came out strong to open the latter half as Liam Curthoys (Rhinebeck, NY) dropped an inch-perfect ball into the box for Wiley to head home in the 47th minute.  Barely two-and-a-half minutes later, Wiley smashed home a volley to grab a brace on a nearly identical inch-perfect service from Curthoys.    

"Our midfielders were so good today.  They made it easy for me to play my best," said Wiley. 

After Wiley's second the game settled and the Badgers dropped deeper to staunch the hemorrhaging which opened space for outside backs Tim Romero (Pueblo, CO) and Jacob Butler (New Gloucester, ME).  The two outside backs marauded down the sidelines at will to create more dangerous chances as the Bobcats continually tested the Badgers defensive mettle.  Eventually, Romero won a corner kick in the 58th minute.  Cody Hanson (Fonda, NY) hunted down the corner service from Curthoys and headed the ball into the back of the net, a punctuation mark to Hanson's tireless work and capping off an excellent day in the midfield for both server and finisher.

After the third goal the Bobcats took full control of things, shutting down opportunities with aplomb and the confidence of a team that hasn't conceded a goal all season.  Center backs Kagan Hance  (Chester, VT) and Agus Putrawan (Gili Trawangan, Indonesia) were top class all day, winning balls, making good passes, and controlling the game.  They showed their true worth in the last half hour as they stifled any and all dangerous Badger attacks.

"We had some new guys step into some big spots today and perform well," said Hance about first-year defenders Mason Rumble (Watertown, NY) and Kolin Bijeaux (Breaux Bridge, LA), who both made big contributions in their debut for the Bobcats.  Cazmir Couble (Spofford, NH) was excellent as always, posting his third straight shutout though he acknowledged he had light work on the afternoon. 

"I don't think they had any dangerous chances," said Couble.  "The closest one ended up wide, and I didn't need to make a play on it."

Powered by three assists from Curthoys to Wiley (two goals) and Hanson (one goal) and three saves from Couble, the Bobcats improve to 2-0-1 on the season, having yet to concede a goal. 

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.