Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y. - Paul Rolland notched two goals, including one with 21 seconds left in the game, as the Clarkson University Men's Soccer team earned a 2-2 tie at Bard College on Saturday. 

Clarkson moves to 5-3-3 overall, 2-2-1 in the Liberty League. The men return to Potsdam for two straight home contests, hosting RPI on Saturday the 18th and Skidmore on Tuesday the 21st. 

The Knights got on the front foot early and came close to being immediately rewarded in the 2nd minute as a long run down the left wing preceded a centering pass that was met by Alper Celik at the penalty spot. The ensuing shot from the left foot of Celik flew generously wide of the left post and out for a Bard goal kick.

11 minutes in, Rolland found the back of the net for the Knights to gain the first advantage of the game. A long ball out of the back was brought down by Rolland near the top of the Bard penalty box. With his back to the net the forward quickly turned on the ball and showcased some quick feet dribbling through several Raptor defenders before sending a right-footed rocket into the top left half of the net for 1-0. 

Just 10 minutes later in the 21st, Bard would level the scoreline up, against the run of play. Following a foul just outside of the 18 yard box on the right wing, Emmett Olson would float a ball towards the back left post where it was met by the head of Henry Skeltis, who tucked it into the right corner of the net. The Raptors came within inches of taking the lead just a minute later as a break down the right wing led to a shot from Mateo Betelu that struck the outside of the right post and bounced out of play for a goal kick. 

Clarkson continued to use long-throws to create chances in front of goal, as a throw from Tayte Wong in the 26th minute off the left wing was headed around the box without being cleared before being met by Josh Baraka in front of the Bard goal, but the header from the sophomore flew just wide of the right post. Both sides struggled to create any clear chances through the remainder of the first half, battling in the midfield to gain control of the contest as the game went into the break level. 

As the second half kicked off, both teams continued to push for the breakthrough with both sides committed to a focus on defense and limiting clear chances. A second yellow card in the 57th minute for Juan Pestarino would mean that the Knights would play the remainder of the game a man down. 

Sitting deep in a 5-3-1 formation the Golden Knights would be forced to change their tactical approach, aiming to catch the Raptor defense out on the counter attack. This was nearly the case in the 61st minute a Zach Ruthfield pounced on a loose ball near the midfield line and looked to release Rolland on a break but the ball forward looked to get caught under the forward's feet before being cleared by the defense. Clarkson continued their push in the 64th minute when Morgan Burke picked off a forward pass in his defensive third. The sophomore played a quick give-and-go with Rolland who sent Burke through on goal with just the keeper to beat. A tight angle on the right side of the box combined with a closing defender resulted in an attempt from Burke that was stopped by Jake Sudit, diving to his right to keep the game at 1-1. 

Rolland would get another good look in the 69th minute as Josh Baraka lofted a forward pass over the defense to the forward who managed to make good contact with the ball but was only able to find the outside of the left side of the goal. 

With a minute and a half left on the clock Bard managed to work the ball into the Clarkson box when an attacker was brought down on the left side resulting in a penalty kick. Olson stepped up to take the attempt, placing a sharp left footed shot into the bottom right corner, giving the Raptors the lead and hope for their first Liberty League win of 2025. 

There was still some time for late drama however as Clarkson managed to win a free-kick just outside of the Bard 18 yard box with just 21 seconds remaining on the clock. Rolland stepped up over the ball, sending a right-footed shot over the seven-man Raptor wall into the top left corner of the goal as both teams would share the points on the afternoon. 

Clarkson would hold an advantage in shots (15-11) and shots on goal (8-6) even while playing a man down. Carter Kladstrup was credited with four saves for the Knights while Sudit made six for Bard with five of those coming in the second half.