Potsdam, NY – Goals in the final five minutes of each half lifted the Union College men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory at Clarkson and catapulted the Dutchmen from fifth to fourth place in the Liberty League standings, securing the final playoff spot. Union, who is 9-3-3 and 3-2-2 in the conference, will face first-place Hobart in the first round.

 

Union got off to a fast start with a few shots in the opening minutes, but the attempts found their way to the side or over the net. Clarkson responded with a flurry of its own, but two were blocked by the Union defense, and Cale Samuel's (Mississauga, ONT) attempt from in close was denied by Dutchmen goalkeeper Rob Kramer (Westport, CT).

It wasn't until late in the half that Union got on the scoreboard. A misplay near the top of the box gave the Dutchmen a solid scoring chance as sophomore forward John Manna (Acton, MA) weaved through some defenders and then took a shot that ricocheted off a Clarkson defender and bounded into the back of the net with 4:04 remaining.

 

Chances for both teams were few and far between in the second half as the squads combined for just four shots in the first 40 minutes of the half. Finally, on the third shot of the half for the Dutchmen, freshman midfielder Kevan Benn (Ottawa) got control of the ball in close and, with Clarkson keeper Mike St. Croix (Watertown, NY) committed to the initial threat in Benn, sent a pass over to Kyle Riter, who was open in front.

Union ended the game with a 12-5 lead in shots and the two teams were tied with two corner kicks apiece. St. Croix made three saves for the Knights and Kramer made two stops for Union.

 

The Dutchmen return home for a 7 p.m. contest on Wednesday, Oct. 29 against Utica.