ITHACA, NY – Facing a nationally ranked rival on the road, the Skidmore College men's soccer team earned a hard-fought 1-0 shutout victory over No. 19 Ithaca on Saturday afternoon.

After a scoreless deadlock dragged into the second half, senior Connor Mansfield broke through for the Thoroughbreds (6-1-3, 2-0-1 Liberty League) with the go-ahead goal in the 57^th minute off the assist from freshman Jacob Humienny. A stellar defensive stand from Skidmore would then hold off a frantic late push by the Bombers (6-2-2, 0-1-1 Liberty League), who put up nine shots with six corners down the stretch but couldn't find the equalizer.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• In a scoreless first half, the Bombers attacked early with a shot attempt following a corner in the 4^th minute that was saved by sophomore goalie Rowan McLear.
• Skidmore generated a pair of early scoring chances of its own with junior Colin Goodhines striking a shot bottom center in the 12^th and senior Tobias Catizone delivering a shot to the top of the net in the 24^th, but Ithaca goalie Bryson Shaull turned away both attempts.
• Early in the second half, Mansfield put the Thoroughbreds on the board in the 57^th minute by scoring on a great cross from the left side to the right side of the box from Humienny.  
• The Bombers would launch a relentless counterattack down the stretch, by launching up nine shots with six corners in a bid to score the equalizer. But stellar goalkeeping from McLear, who made a big save in the 79^th minute, and the Thoroughbreds backline neutralized Ithaca's attacking chances to seal the victory.  

STANDOUT THOROUGHBREDS

• McLear tallied two saves for his first victory and shutout on the season.
• Mansfield's goal is his second on the season and sixth of his career.
• Humienny's assist is the second of his career.

UP NEXT
The Thoroughbreds face another challenging matchup next Saturday on the road at Hobart. The start time is set for 2 PM.