SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – An early Ben Poole goal stood up for the Skidmore College men's soccer team as it got by Keuka College in the home opener, 1-0 at Wachenheim Field Saturday afternoon.
 
The Thoroughbreds get their first win to wrap up the opening weekend at 1-1. Keuka falls to 0-2.
 
Off a throw-in in the 14^th minute, senior Ben Caples launched a long pass deep into the penalty box. Fellow senior Poole was able to sky over the congestion in front of net, tapping a header past the Keuka goalie into the right corner of the net.
 
Poole also made a number of defensive plays, including halting a 3-on-2 break by Keuka near the end of the first half.
 
The Thoroughbreds nearly struck again in the 64^th minute, as a well-placed thorough ball by Ted Roach found Alex Ricci behind the defenders on the run. He tried to go low, but Keuka goalkeeper Ryan Mavretish put his body in front to make the save.
 
Skidmore kept possession on the Keuka end for much of the game, save for a few chances at the end of the first and second halves. The Wolves tried to take one last shot at net late, but sophomore Sebastian Bosch stopped a couple of clearances to put the game away. Bosch needed two saves to pick up his first win of the season.
 
Skidmore outshot Keuka 16-5 in the contest, including a 6-2 advantage in shots on goal. Skidmore also earned an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks.
 
The Thorouhgbreds remain home for the next few weeks, beginning with a match against Geneseo at Wachenheim Field on Sept. 7 at 6 p.m.