Bobcats End Season at USCAA Nationals

Caraopolis, PA ~ The Paul Smith's College men's soccer team finished their season at the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Men's Division II Soccer National Tournament over the weekend, dropping games to tournament champion Central Maine CC and Penn State Lehigh Valley while showing everyone that they can compete at the top level.

The team, enjoying their second-straight bid to the tournament, has experienced a Renaissance since head coach Chris George joined them at the beginning of last season.  But the foundation for success was laid well in advance, as current athletic director and former head coach Zack Luzzi put pieces and players in place to help guide the squad to their current form.

Two of those players, seniors Jacob Butler (New Gloucester, ME) and team captain Kagan Hance (Chester, VT) have been there to see the program evolve, elevate, and mature from a solid soccer program to a national competitor.

"Over the last four years the culture on the team has changed drastically," said Hance.  "Having a winners mentality is crucial to team success and morale, and I think that's what we've adopted over the past year or two... everything switched from 'playoffs' to 'winning a national championship,'" he added.

Head Coach Chris George was one of the pieces that seemed to transform the team into what it is today.  

"When I was hired, the talent to compete for a national championship was already here," said George.  "There were two things I knew I needed to do right away; build a culture centered around relations, and set the standard of a champions mindset."

Last season, he was named USCAA Men's Division II Soccer Coaching Staff of the Year after guiding the team to their first-ever nationals appearance and an 11-3-2 overall record. George has instilled the "Way of Champions" model, popularized by NBA and current Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and founded and developed by Dr. Jerry Lynch, the preeminent mind on team culture and success in athletics.

"Most of what we do is rooted in the The Way of Champions and the core belief that everyone needs to feel relevant, important, valued, empowered and respected," contnued George.  "It has been a huge influence on the work our coaching staff is doing – that trust we place in the guys and the trust they have for each other -  and you can see that in the strength of the relationships between the guys in the team," he added.

The Bobcats fought Central Maine CC to a tough 2-0 loss on Friday, November 14th at the first day of the tournament.  The Mustangs were, up to that point, used to blowing teams out, but the staunch Bobcat defense, anchored by Butler and Hance, and Bobcat goaltender Cazimir Couble (Spofford, NH) kept the game close.  Couble ended up with 17 saves - a USCAA Men's Division II Soccer National Tournament record.

Saturday's game against Penn State Lehigh Valley was even closer, with just a single goal separating the two sides by the time the final whistle blew.

After going down 2-0 with goals in the 41st and 47th minutes, Kagan Hance converted a penalty kick for the Bobcats to halve the lead at 2-1.  But two more goals in the 59th and 68th minutes meant an uphill climb for PSC to try and claw back.

The Bobcats played valiantly, but fell just short of the comeback.

Just a minute after going down 4-1, Maddox Johnson (Ellicotville, NY) would score his sixth goal of the campaign to halve the lead once again.  Then, 10 minutes later and with just over 10 minutes remaining in the game, Tristan Schrieb (Greece, NY) would put the Bobcats within one and give them hope to equalize.  Unfortunately, the tying goal never came, but the resilience and heart that the team showed to almost come all the way back from three goals down in the second half was inspiring to anyone watching.

First year players and local talents Sebil Cecunjanin (Lake Placid, NY) and Hyler Isham (Keene Valley, NY) spoke about their introductory season with the Bobcats and how it felt competing at nationals.

"I was nervous playing at nationals for the first time," said Cecunjanin,"But I look at my team and I know that they have my back and that they'll help me if needed - I learned that this is not just a team, it's a family."

Isham spoke about the closeness of the team and kindred atmosphere that has come to define the team, saying "Everyone bought in, pushed each other, and made it feel like a family.  We would always hold each other accountable and we kept the energy positive no matter what - that mindset is what got us to nationals."

The Bobcats finish at 8-10-2 overall and will look to continue their upward trajectory next season.  Three players earned All-American honors as Nathan Wiley (Wareham, MA), Kagan Hance, and Jacob Butler received First Team, Second Team, and Honorable Mention in, respectively. Wiley was a Second Team All-American last season and was joined by Liam Curthoys (First Team) and Nick Grover (Second Team).  Grover went down with injury before this season even started, and Curthoys was out with illness for almost two months.

Wiley was injured late in the regular season after leading the team and the Yankee Small College Conference in goals and points early on.  The junior midfielder was there supporting his teammates every step of the way after his injury and it shows the dedication that everyone has to each other.

"Our team is a very tight knit group and we're together almost every day," said Wiley.  "These bonds we have created off the field is why we have started to find real success on the field.  Our culture has only improved and our mentalities have changed... there is less ego-driven soccer and we feel like a family now."

The team also started out 4-8, but adversity builds character as they say, and this group of players charged head on with arms intertwined, going undefeated from September 29th to their first game at Nationals.  

With the accolades, team culture, and support that the team receives, it is quite possible that Paul Smith's College will be hoisting a national championship trophy this time in 2026 or 2027.

"I just want to say it was a pleasure playing for this program and being part of a very special four-year stretch.  I will definitely miss the soccer, but what I will miss most is the family.  Soccer is everywhere, by my family is at PSC," ended Hance, beautifully putting into words what it means to be Smitty.

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.