Photo Courtesy: Matt Haggerty

BENNINGTON, Vt. - The scoreboard may have read 0-0 but the Southern Vermont men's soccer team played amazing soccer against Bard College Tuesday night. Neither team could come up with a goal in 110 minutes of play as the game ended in a double-overtime tie.

In the final minutes of the game, freshman Greg Gilmore (Dover, NH/Dover HS) had a misdirected cross pass that almost found its way underneath the top crossbar which would have given SVC the win.

Overall the game was pretty evenly matched with SVC getting off 13 shots compared to Bard's 19. Sophomore goalkeeper Aaron Eschler (Gloversville N.Y./Broadalbin-Perth HS) had a great day in front of the goal with 15 saves. He had several diving catches to save the game for the Mountaineers, playing some great heads-up soccer. Eschler leads the New England Collegiate Conference in saves with 72 for the year and he is averaging 10.29 a game.

The Mountaineers had a few more missed opportunities when freshman Zach Reilly (Palmyra, VA/Fluvanna County HS) had a nice look late in the second period. Midway through the second period Bard goalkeeper Deven Connelly scooped up what would have been the game winner when sophomore Dave Gage Gloversville N.Y./Broadalbin-Perth HS) drilled it right at him within five feet of the goal.

"This is another step in the right direction, and I am pleased that we could keep our opponent scoreless for the first time this season," said SVC head coach Tim Penrod. "Now we just need to find our finishing touch and then we will be fine. And when we do anything is possible"

The Mountaineers host New England Collegiate Conference foe Elms College for Southern Vermont's Homecoming Weekend this Saturday, September 27, on Everett Field. Kickoff is at 3:00 p.m.