Sophomore
Sammy Bothwell recorded two assists, while
Kenneth Mejia Lopez and
Grant Gilmer each scored first-half goals as the No. 7 St. Lawrence University men's soccer team earned a 2-1 Liberty League victory over Bard on Saturday afternoon at the Lorenzo Ferrari Soccer & Lacrosse Complex in Annandale, N.Y.
The Saints improved to 9-0-1 overall and 4-0-0 in Liberty League play with the win, while the Raptors fell to 7-3-0 overall and 0-3-0 in conference action.
"Good result for the team on the road against a very tough Bard team that was very difficult to break down and had an excellent attacking midfield," said head coach
Mike Toshack. "They are very well-organized, coached by TJ Kostecky, one of the best coaches in the country; they showed that today. They took us right to the wire, but the guys dug in and did what they needed to do. We got the two goals, and we were able to leave with three valuable points on the road. So, now, we have a week to prepare and look forward to hosting Vassar next Saturday. "
After weathering some early pressure from Bard, the Scarlet and Brown struck first in the 20th minute.
Bothwell tested goalkeeper Jake Sudit with a shot that was saved, but the rebound opportunity fell to the foot of
Kenneth Mejia Lopez, who found the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
The Saints doubled their advantage in the 32nd minute. Bothwell once again played provider. The winger set up a corner kick on the left side and fired a ball into the box. The ball was right on the money, finding Gilmer, who buried the feed for the 2-0 lead.
Bard generated chances before halftime, but
Zach Amato made a pair of saves to preserve the score and send St. Lawrence into the break with a two-goal advantage.
The Saints continued to create opportunities in the second half, with Bothwell and
Baker Diaz repeatedly testing Sudit, who kept the Raptors in the contest.
The Raptors nearly cut into the deficit in the 66th minute when Pablo Ortega hit the woodwork, but the chance stayed out.
Bard finally broke through in the 80th minute when Mateo Betelu scored on a header off a corner kick from Frankie Perera-Modica to make it a one-goal match.
The home side applied pressure late, but the Saints held firm down the stretch to secure the victory.
Amato finished with three saves, while Sudit stopped eight shots for Bard.
St. Lawrence finished with advantages in shots (16-9), shots on goal (10-4), and corner kicks (5-3).
The Scarlet and Brown will be back in action next Saturday, October 10, at 2 p.m. for a 2 p.m. match against Vassar at Sandy MacAllaster Field.
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