POTSDAM, N.Y. – Sophomore
Cauan Souza and first-year
Joseph Carofano recorded a goal and an assist apiece to lead the Union College men's soccer team to a 3-1 victory over Clarkson University in the team's Liberty League opener on Saturday afternoon at Hantz Turf Field.
Souza and Carofano both scored once and assisted on the other's tally in the first half, and sophomore
Kofi Sarfoh continued his excellent season with his eighth goal of the year, already the most by a Union player in a season since 2019.
Souza needed just 60 seconds to put Union (6-3-1, 1-0-0 Liberty League) on top, as he corralled the rebound of a Carofano shot and found the net for the first goal of his collegiate career. Clarkson (4-2-2, 0-1-1 Liberty League) equalized just over two minutes later on an Alper Celik strike, but the visitors responded in the 10th minute. Sophomore
Shane Crowley sent a clearance attempt right to Souza at the side of box, and he deftly one-touched a pass to Carofano for a first-touch strike and another first collegiate goal.
The game settled down after three goals on the first five shots, with first-year
Michael Karcher making two saves to keep the visitors ahead at the half.
Sarfoh doubled the Union lead in the 64th minute, finishing off some nice passing by first-year
Dillan Akinc and sophomore
David Dolores for his team- and conference-leading eighth goal of the year.
Karcher made one more save the rest of the way, finishing with four stops. Clarkson ended the day with a 10-6 shot advantage and a 5-3 edge in corners.
Union will continue conference play on Tuesday with a 6 p.m. match at Skidmore College.
