BENNINGTON, Vt. – The Southern Vermont College men's soccer team lost in overtime, 3-2, to visiting SUNY Cobleskill on Wednesday afternoon. Fighting Tigers' (2-6-1 overall) captain Tyler Shaw (Hoosick Falls, N.Y.) scored the game-winner.
The match started with a slow, quiet pace as neither side seemed to too aggressive offensively, however the physicality of the game was at a high rate early on. Both sides started to formulate their attacks and get looks at the goal, despite neither scoring in the opening half.
Cobleskill went on the board first with a goal from Justin Milian (Mahopac, N.Y.), assisted by a bicycling Jonathan Zapata (Middleburgh, N.Y.). Milian collected the ball about 20 yards out, turned to goal and took a few touches before placing it out of the reach of Mountaineer keeper Christopher Dunham (Valley Falls, N.Y.) in the 68th minute.
SVC (1-8 overall) did not take long to respond, as an offensive push provided Chris Hansen (Raymertown, N.Y.) an opportunity to fight for the ball, turn the corner and bury it for a 1-1 score. With about ten minutes remaining, Mountaineer senior Connor Murray (Litchfield, Conn.) sent a long ball to freshman Ruben Olivares (Pico Rivera, Calif.) who took it to net for the go-ahead.
The Mountaineers continued to posses and work the ball in order to run out the clock, yet the Fighting Tigers maintained a strong will continue challenging and create opportunities. In the 88th minute, Mark Gaetano (Mechanicville, N.Y.) took the ball and laced a shot for the equalizer.
About half way through the overtime period, SUNY Cobleskill sent a long ball from midfield to a pacing Zapata who pushed a shot off the far post. A goal-mouth scramble awarded Zapata an open look to Shaw who buried it for the final tally.
Dunham finished with four saves on the day, matching Cobleskill's net minder Mack Curran (Cooperstown, N.Y.) who also had four.
The Mountaineers look ahead to Saturday's 1 p.m. New England Collegiate Conference matchup at Daniel Webster College. Cobleskill next faces Gallaudet University in North Eastern Athletic Conference action at 3 p.m. on Saturday.