Potsdam, NY – A pair of goals in tight by the net late in the second half gave the Clarkson University Men’s Soccer team’s new turf facility a lackluster welcome as Hamilton College outlasted the Golden Knights 2-1 in Liberty League action Friday afternoon at Hantz Turf Field.
The Golden Knights saw their record drop to 5-5-1 overall with a third consecutive Liberty League loss, while Hamilton moved to 5-3-1 and 2-1-0 in conference play. Clarkson hosts Hobart College on Saturday back on the grass Clarkson Field, while the Continentals travel to St. Lawrence.
The first half was somewhat quiet as neither team produced many legitimate offensive chances, with shots on goal being very rare. The whistles of the officials were mostly silent as well as neither team was called for an infraction for the first third of the half.
However, the second half was an entirely different story compared to the first as the game became very physical and the scoreboard finally saw some action. Hamilton was able to apply some sustained pressure in the second half. A save made by Scott Stuart (Ottawa, ONT) sent the freshmen goalkeeper to the bench after a vicious, but clean, collision with 35 minutes remaining in the game. The ensuring corner kick had the Continentals best chance of the game on a hard shot in front, but replacement goalie Saverino Spagnolo (Ottawa, ONT) made a diving stop to preserve the shutout.
The scoreless tie would soon come to an end, though, as another cross from the corner gave Hamilton a 1-0 lead. Hennie Bosman came down the sideline and sent a shot through the box near the end line, and just as the shot was about to scoot out of bounds, Jon Sanford came sliding in to guide the ball in for his fourth goal of the season at 68:41. A similar score occurred for the Continentals just five minutes later as Paul Moakler gained his first goal of the season, booting in a cross from Bennett Weinerman just after a corner kick.
The Golden Knights had a rally in the final minute that nearly changed the course of the game. With less than a minute remaining, it appeared as if Clarkson had cut the lead to one, but offsides was called to keep the Knights scoreless. The blank on the side of the Knights wouldn’t remain, however, as Scott Desmond (Enfield, CT) sent a hard shot from the 18-yard line on goal. The shot ricocheted off one post and then bounded in off the other with just five seconds left in the contest. Elliott Carter (Ottawa, ONT) earned the assist for Clarkson.
The Continentals held an 8-2 edge in corner kicks, which proved to be valuable as many chances came off those endline deflections. Clarkson did enjoy a 14-11 lead in shots. Eric Boole made three saves for the win, while Stuart and Spagnolo combined for three stops as well.