Nicholas Petrone scored twice,
Grant Gilmer added two assists, and
Zach Amato made three saves as the No. 7 St. Lawrence University men's soccer team defeated Clarkson, 3-1, in the Route 11 Rivalry matchup on Wednesday afternoon on Sandy MacAllaster Field in Canton, N.Y.
The Saints improved to 8-0-1 overall and 3-0-0 in Liberty League play, while the Golden Knights fell to 4-3-2 overall and 0-2-1 in conference action.
"Happy for the guys today to get the win against Clarkson in the Route 11 Rivalry game, which is always a difficult game, especially with a top-class coach like Carter Lincoln, who showed that today with how well-organized his team was," said head coach
Mike Toshack. "It was incredibly difficult to break them down, and we were on the back foot a lot, and had to really defend well, but really pleased for the guys. We did some good things, and then put ourselves in a lot of jeopardy as well. We want to clean that up a little bit, but other than that, we're very happy to have done the work and rolled up our sleeves and done what was needed to get a very difficult three points in the league. Now we have to turn around very quickly as we travel and go on the road to play a very difficult Bard team."
Clarkson struck first just 2:52 into the contest when Cole Mueller converted a penalty kick to give the visitors an early 1-0 advantage.
The Saints shook off the quick tally and responded quickly, finding the equalizer less than five minutes later.
Gilmer had the ball on the right side of the Clarkson box and took on his defender in a 1-on-1. He cut back to the middle and found Petrone, who centered the ball and found the back of the net in the eighth minute to tie the score at 1-1.
St. Lawrence continued to press and grabbed the lead in the 20th minute. After a foul in the box on
Sammy Bothwell that led to a penalty kick opportunity, Petrone stepped up to the spot and converted for his second goal of the match and a 2-1 Saints advantage.
The Scarlet and Brown controlled much of the first half and added an insurance goal in the 40th minute.
Gilmer recorded his second assist of the day when he once again set up his teammate with a ball deep in the Knights' box.
Eric Edmonds was on the end of the pass, and his shot went off a defender and in to extend the lead to 3-1 before halftime.
The teams played a scoreless but chippy second half as the Saints maintained their advantage. Clarkson generated several chances after the break, but Amato made three saves and the St. Lawrence defense kept the visitors from cutting into the lead.
The Golden Knights' best opportunity came late in the match when they were awarded another penalty kick in the 87th minute, but the attempt missed the target left and the Saints preserved the two-goal lead.
Amato finished with three saves, while Clarkson goalkeeper Ian Burgos stopped three shots. Petrone led the Saints with five shots, including three on goal and two scores. Gilmer finished with a pair of assists, while Edmonds added the third St. Lawrence goal.
St. Lawrence held advantages in shots (11-6) and shots on goal (6-4), while Clarkson earned a 4-3 edge in corner kicks.
The No. 7 Saints will take their show on the road as the team heads to Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y., on Saturday, October 3 to take on Bard in a 2 p.m. tilt.
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