Men's Soccer

BENNINGTON, VT. - The Southern Vermont Mountaineers and the Delaware Valley Aggies battled through the entire regulation, the first overtime, and six minutes into the second overtime before either team found the net on Sunday. Unfortunately for the Mountaineers it was the Aggies sophomore Andrew Kelley who took a touch at the 18 and fired a shot into the right side netting spoiling the Mountaineers home opener.

A game that was very evenly matched saw both teams have opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net that were either saved by the opposing goal keeper or shot off target. Southern Vermont's best opportunity came in the 37th minute when a ball was played down the right side to freshman forward Sean Moore (Upper Marlboro, MD/Dr. Henry A Wise Jr.) who carried the ball beyond the 18 and fired a shot just left of the goal. The Mountaineers threatened to score again in the second half when freshman mid-fielder Joe Lombardi (Mashpee, MA/Mashpee) sent a dipping shot in from 30 yards out and goalie Tristan Preece parried the ball over the cross bar. SVC also had an opportunity to score when a ball was played to sophomore Dave Gage (Gloversville, NY/Broadalbin-Perth) and he was taken down at the 20 setting up a direct kick for Nick Haggerty (Wynantskill, NY/Averill Park) that was saved by Preece. Haggerty led the Mountaineers with four shots all on frame to go along with Tony Martinez's (Hoosick Falls, NY/SUNY Oneonta) two shots on goal and Kevin Wood's (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls HS) two shots.  

Mountaineer goal keeper Aaron Eschler (Gloversville, NY/Broadalbin-Perth) made multiple saves on the day that kept the game scoreless. The first big save came in the first half when Delaware Valley had a free kick from 25 yards out and put a knuckling shot on frame. The biggest save of the day came with ten seconds remaining in regulation when Eric Maciag shot near post and Eschler made a diving save to put the game into overtime. Eschler also controlled the box the entire game as he snagged multiple services out of the air. Eschler finished the game with 15 saves and Preece finished with eight.

For the game the Aggies out shot the Mountaineers 23-11 and the Mountaineers held the advantage in corner kicks 6-1. The Mountaineers fall to 0-2 and will host Castleton St. Thursday September 4th for a 4:00PM start. The Aggies improve to 1-0 and host Lancaster Bible Wednesday the 3rd at 4:00 PM.