SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – Undermanned, the Skidmore College men's soccer team gave Liberty League-leading Vassar all it could handle, before falling in the final seconds of overtime, a 1-0 defeat at Wachenheim Field on Skidmore Homecoming Weekend.
The Thoroughbreds (6-2-3, 2-1-1 Liberty League) see their unbeaten streak snap at nine games, and have lost for the first time in league play. Vassar (8-2, 4-0 Liberty League) remain undefeated in conference.
It was a gritty and physical game with 36 combined foul calls and eight total cards handed out. Skidmore saw season highs in both fouls (22) and cards (six). Despite those totals, the teams combined for 31 shots, with Vassar holding a 20-11 advantage.
Vassar controlled play early, but Skidmore had solid first-half chances. In the opening minutes, senior
Mike Park beat his defender down the right wing, launching a shot in the box that just went wide to the left. Their best chance was in the 32
nd minute, when sophomore
Stanley Langyintuo had an opportunity from just inside of the penalty box, but pushed the shot just wide to the right.
Vassar threatened to score early, but sophomore
David Braman stopped a certain goal from Vassar's Mattie Mrlik, diving to kick the ball away at the goal line. From there, Skidmore threatened on the other end, thanks to solid work on earning set pieces. Park had two opportunities from just outside of the penalty box in the 54
th and 55
th minute. The first shot looked to be a high goal, but Vassar goalie Will Marment tipped the ball away. The second shot beat Marment wide, but sailed just away from the net.
The Brewers had a chance to take the lead after a Thoroughbreds' yellow card issued a Mrlik penalty kick in the 59
th minute. Mrilk launched the shot, but Bosch anticipated well, and dove left, pushing the shot aside. Bosch was spectacular in net despite the result, finishing with seven saves.
Skidmore suffered a major blow in the 78
th minute, when
Alex Ricci's second yellow card left the Thoroughbreds with 10 men for the rest of the contest. Despite the disadvantage, Skidmore held strong to force the overtime period.
In overtime, Skidmore, looking to counter on an aggressive Vassar side, saw a pair of 2-on-1 opportunities, but couldn't get the game-winner for the second consecutive contest. Vassar would eventually net the game-winner with 11 seconds left in the second overtime, as a corner kick chance bounced around in front of net, with Quinn Tunnell getting a foot on it, scoring wide.
Skidmore will hit the road for the next three games, beginning with a contest at Ithaca on Friday, Oct. 12 (3:30 p.m.)
