Bobcats Take #2 SMCC to Penalties

Pottersville, NY ~ In what might've been the best result the Paul Smith's College men's soccer team has seen in recent memory, a 1-1 tie but penalty shootout loss against Southern Maine CC in the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) semifinal still stung in the moment.

"It's always tough to lose in a shootout," said Bobcat head coach Chris George.  But the penalty shootout loss actually goes in the books as a tie against the #2 ranked team in the nation.  "We knew it was going to be a good matchup for us, even though they beat us earlier in the season.  We had a good game plan that the guys did a great job executing," he added.

The Bobcats got on the board first after a beautiful set piece play in the 22nd minute.  First year midfielder Riley King (Seneca Falls, NY) and 2024 First Team All-American Liam Curthoys (Rhinebeck, NY) both stepped up to the ball which sat about 25 yards from goal.  In these circumstances, Curthoys usually takes the shot, but, in this instance, it was the newcomer king who lined it up, delivering a punishing shot that the Seawolves keeper was unable to handle.  Bryce Calderwood (Liverpool, NY) found himself in the right place at the right time and smashed it into the back of the net to put the Bobcats up 1-0.

"When Riley and Liam set up the free kick I knew it was gonna be a great shot on goal," recalled Calderwood.  The sophomore from Liverpool took off for the net when the ball was struck, instinctually putting himself in a good place for a rebound.  "When I put my laces through the ball I knew I buried it.  Before the game I told Nick Grover I was gonna get a goal for him today... and putting up the first goal of the game against the favored team who thought they were going to blow us out was great," added Calderwood.

King echoed his teammates sentiments, stating "Going into that game we were the underdogs - and that made it even better (assisting on the first goal).  When I stepped up to take that free kick I just had a gut feeling something was going to happen," continued the first year player from Seneca Falls.  "We showed Southern Maine that we weren't to be take lightly, and I'm proud of how every one of us stepped up and played our hearts out."

SMCC would equalize five minutes later, but the Bobcats held the Seawolves to a 1-1 stalemate through 120 minutes of soccer, including 30 minutes of overtime.  They then went toe-to-toe with the #2-ranked team in the nation through nine rounds of a penalty shootout, eventually falling in the tenth round when the SMCC keeper made a save to put the Seawolves through to the final.

Cazimir Couble (Spofford, NH) was excellent throughout the match, making 12 saves in the tie.  He also had a huge save in the eighth round, but the Bobcats couldn't capitalize.

"Getting through that hard-fought game all the way through double overtime, we proved to ourselves that we could hold on in situations where the odds seemed stacked against us," said Couble.  "We showed a lot of grit... and I was particularly proud of our defense for their hard work and commitment to the game," he added.

The Bobcats are 8-8-2 overall and are unbeaten in the last six games, since September 28th.  They have a good chance to make the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Men's Division II Soccer National Tournament in Pittsburgh, PA November 13-17.  They'll be tuning in this Wednesday to the USCAA Bid Show at 4pm.  You can tune in here to join the watch party.

"Of course we wanted another shot at Central Maine in the final, but it wasn't to be," added George.  "We're hoping to get that invite to the National Championships and maybe we'll get that second shot at them there."

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.