Men’s Soccer Wins at Home with Strong Second Half Comeback

Paul Smiths, NY ~ After a shaky first half that saw the visiting University at Maine Augusta Moose take a 1-0 lead, the Paul Smith's College men's soccer team emptied the tank with relentless pressure and mounted a second-half comeback that resulted in a 3-1 win.

Guillaume Le Merour put the visitors on the board first with a nice heads up chip from 30 yards out 10:57 into the game.  But that was all the Moose could muster as Bobcat goalkeeper Cazimir Couble (Spofford, NH) was lights out the rest of the way, recording three saves for the win.

After the break, the pressure from PSC made it seem like an equalizer was all but inevitable.  That equalizer came in the 63rd minute as first year player Oliver Stoddard (Chazy, NY) scored his first collegiate goal.

"It was just amazing to play in that environment with the team and the energy that we brought to the field," said Stoddard.  "My goal in the end was just a byproduct of that energy and I just can't wait to keep playing with our soccer family here at Paul Smith's College."

The Bobcats would go on to take the lead less than nine minutes later as their persistent pressure and full-field attack forced a mistake on the back end which resulted in an own goal for the Moose.

"After we scored our first goal I knew we'd find what we needed to win the game," said head coach Chris George.  "It's always tough to come from behind, especially after a break.  We battled hard and brought great energy in the second half."

Paul Smith's College would seal the victory in the 73rd minute as stalwart defender Jacob Butler (New Gloucester, ME) continued his tenacious play with an attacking run in the box and drew a penalty.  The Maine native calmly stepped up to the mark and delivered a textbook pk to the side netting to give the hosts the 3-1 lead and seal it for PSC.

"The game had a slow start but we found an unbeatable tempo (in the second half)," said Butler about the game's development.  "When I drew the pk, Nate handed me the ball and I knew this was finally my time," he added, recollecting what it was like to score his first-ever goal for the Bobcats.

"What a special moment for Jake Butler to get his first goal at PSC on a PK.  Hats off to Oliver on his first goal as well," added George.

The Bobcats move to 5-8-1 overall and 3-2-1 in the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) as they look to secure home field advantage for the first round of the playoffs later this month.

You can follow the men's soccer team on Instagram at @paulsmithsmsoc or follow the general athletics account at @smitty_nation for scores, highlights, pictures, and much more!

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At Paul Smith's College, it's about the experience. As the only four-year institution of higher education located in the Adirondack Park in upstate New York, Paul Smith's provides real-world, hands-on learning in fields such as business and hospitality, culinary management, forestry, environmental sciences, and natural resources. We can draw on industries and resources available in our backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere. Our community of resourceful, enterprising, supportive, and adventurous individuals collectively provides experiential education, student support in the classroom and beyond, and meaningful opportunities for our alumni. We pride ourselves on research and advocacy on issues that improve our planet and the lives of the people who inhabit it. Learn more at www.paulsmiths.edu.