SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Senior Tobias Catizone stepped up with the 56^th minute game winner as the Skidmore College men's soccer team clinched a pivotal 1-0 shutout over RPI in a Stable Game matchup at Wachenheim Field on Wednesday evening.

Despite the low score, both teams traded a slew of high-quality attacking opportunities throughout the contest but just couldn't find the finishing touch. It was ultimately the Thoroughbreds (7-2-3, 3-1-1 Liberty League) that broke through when Catizone netted the decisive goal. Defensively, Skidmore was anchored by the return of senior goalie Will Devall, who turned away several quality shot attempts from the Engineers (3-4-5, 1-1-3 Liberty League) to secure the conference victory.

With the victory, the Thoroughbreds are now tied with Vassar in the conference standings at 10 points apiece, and with four league matches remaining on the schedule.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both teams traded shots midway into the half, with junior Colin Goodhines launching a strike in the 25^th that was caught by RPI goalie Antonio Spina, before the Engineers' Sam Shmukler counterattacked a minute later on a shot that was stopped by Devall.
• A terrific play at goal from Devall in the 33^rd minute stopped a point blank RPI shot attempt to further help navigate Skidmore's defense out of trouble.
• In the 35^th, freshman Farhad Sharifai connected with senior Dillon Nelson for a chance from the right side that was saved by Spina.
• At halftime, Skidmore held a narrow 8-to-7 edge in shots as well as a 2-to-1 lead in corner kicks.
• The Thoroughbreds came out firing after intermission, launching the first four shots of the half before Catizone finally broke through in the 56^th after striking a shot off his own rebound from the left side that snuck past the Engineers goalie.
• Freshman Jacob Humienny nearly doubled the lead for the Thoroughbreds in the 59^th after beating his defender in transition, but his shot attempt was narrowly saved on a diving effort by Spina.
• RPI nearly tied the game in the 79^th minute when Joshua Jarden completely broke free of the Skidmore backline for a 1-on-1 scoring chance against Devall, but the senior keeper did just enough to deter the shot and force it to sail high and away.

STANDOUT THOROUGHBREDS

• Catizone's goal is his fifth on the season and 11th of his career.
• Devall tallied three saves for his fourth win and second shutout on the season.

UP NEXT
The Thoroughbreds are back at Wachenheim Field on Saturday to host Bard at 2 PM. The program will honor the 2025 senior class with senior day celebrations.