Final Four Bound!

Paul Smiths, NY ~ The Paul Smith's College men's soccer team are headed to the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) Final Four.

On Saturday in front of a healthy home crowd, the Bobcats pressed and pressed and pressed the visiting York County CC Hawks until a breakthrough finally happened late in the second half to put them through to the semi-finals.

"Felt like we were on the front foot all night," said Bobcat head coach Chris George.

With less than 15 minutes left in the game the Bobcats had a throw-in from about 20 yards up the touch line.  First year player Sebil Cecunjanin (Lake Placid, NY) launched the ball to the top of the 18 where Hyler Isham (Keene Valley, NY) was waiting.  A deft touch to ground helped Isham settle the ball at his feet, but he was still backward to goal.  The midfielder adjusted his position with a half turn and followed it with a powerful, sweeping shot.  Isham deposited the high-difficulty shot into the left side-netting as the Hawk keeper looked on helplessly, claiming the game-winning goal to send the Bobcats through.

"It's always a great feeling to help the team get a win, but it's even better knowing we're moving onto the semifinals," remarked Isham.

"Hyler's goal was fantastic," recalled George.  "Hitting a ball like that in turn under pressure is not easy.  And it's always nice to get the shutout, particularly in a game when you've had a lot of control.  It never felt like we were going to give one up - we did a great job handling the chances they did get," added the Bobcat skipper.

PSC Goalkeeper Cazimir Couble (Spofford, NH) earned the win and recorded his third clean sheet of the campaign, stopping all five shots faced.  The junior keeper complimented his defense and the team's overall control during the game.

"It was a great defensive effort across the field," said Couble.  "We were always fighting for the ball and I don't think they had a single shot on target inside the 18," he added.

The Bobcats move to 8-8-1 on the season and advance to the conference semifinals with the win.  They will face Southern Maine CC on Saturday, November 1st at 2pm in Pottersville, NY, hosted by Word of Life at the Huskies' turf field.  If they win, they'll have a chance to play for the YSCC Championship on Sunday against either Central Maine CC or Word of Life.

"That's the last game Kagan (Hance) and Jake (Butler) will play under the lights on our field.  So doubly happy we could send them off the way they deserve... with a win!" exclaimed George.

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.