SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – A 52^nd minute goal from senior Tobias Catizone proved to be the difference as the Skidmore College men's soccer team shut out Salem State, 1-0, in the season and home opener at Wachenheim Field on Saturday afternoon.  

Offensively, the Thoroughbreds (1-0) controlled possession for much of the game, outshooting the Vikings (0-1) to a 17-to-10 margin and generating nearly twice as many corner kick opportunities at 11-to-6.

On the other end, Skidmore prevented Salem State from recording any shots-on-goal for the first 86 minutes of action, before stellar goalkeeping from senior Will Devall shut down a pair of near equalizing shot opportunities generated by the Vikings in the closing minutes to ultimately clinch the victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Skidmore doubled up the Vikings in shot attempts, 6-to-3, in the first half alongside generating four corners to Salem State's five.
• Freshman Jacob Humienny and sophomore Owen Correll each had quality looks at the net in the 28^th and 33^rd minutes that were saved by Salem State goalie Marcelo Silva.
• Coming out of halftime, the Thoroughbreds capitalized on a corner kick opportunity for the 52^nd minute goal that saw Catizone gain possession of the ball following a well-placed header before spinning past the Salem State goalie and two defenders for the uncontested chip shot goal directly in front of the net.
• Following the score, the Thoroughbreds continued to pressure the Salem State defense, with junior Collin Goodhines placing two shots on goal in the 67^th and 71^st minutes and Humienny recording another shot-on-goal of his own in the 68^th.
• The Vikings nearly secured the equalizer in the closing minutes after twice crossing the ball inside the Thoroughbreds box in the 87^th and 89^th minutes, however stellar goalkeeping from Devall snuffed out both shot attempts to hold off Salem State for the win.

STANDOUT THOROUGHBREDS

• Catizone finished with four shot attempts in addition to his seventh career goal.
• Devall finished with two saves to record his ninth career victory and 11th shutout as a Thoroughbred.
• Making his collegiate debut, Humienny finished with four shots and orchestrated the offense with timely passing in 77 minutes of action.
• Goodhines recorded three shots and placed two on goal.

UP NEXT
The Thoroughbreds return to action on Monday in a Labor Day road matchup at SUNY Oneonta. The start time is set for 5 PM.