On a rainy and cold Saturday afternoon, the St. Lawrence Men’s Soccer team took on SLU rivals, the Knights of Clarkson University, at Sandy MacCallister field.  The rivalry matchup brought out the best for the Saints’ offense and a solid showing by the Knight’s defense, but it was St. Lawrence that ultimately reigned supreme and captured the win late against Clarkson to keeping the No. 9 ranked Saints unbeaten in the Liberty League. 

The Saints came out fired up and ready to go as they quickly established their dominance on the offensive side of the ball.  The first half showed St. Lawrence’s prowess as they were to keep possession of the ball for the majority of the half and keep the pressure up on the Knight’s defense and goaltender Michael King.  King was able to keep his team in the game, stopping several shots and keeping the Saints’ dominant offense on hold for the first half of the game.

The second half, however, was a different story as the Saints came out firing again, dominating the control of the game and keeping up the pressure on a fatigued Knight’s defense.  Eventually the offensive pressure was too much for King and his Knight’s defense as St. Lawrence broke through with a goal and the first score of the game.  In the 48th minute of play, Junior Dan Hunt delivered a sharp cross from the right sideline to his teammate, Sophomore Rob Brandell, who was able to pass off a header to Senior Forward Jamal Samaroo.  Samaroo collected the header pass from Brandell and was able to get the shot past the Knight’s goaltender and take the 1-0 lead. 

The Saints kept up the pressure, firing shot after shot on the Knight’s net but Knight’s goaltender King was a wall between the pipes.  In the 82nd minute, the tables turned in favor of the Knights.  Clarkson was awarded a free kick from 30 yards out and capitalized on the opportunity by landing a header through the Saint’s defense and past Senior Goaltender Aaron Costello, making the score 1-1.  The late, game tying goal from the Knights seemed to be sending the game into overtime, however, First Year Chandler Short and the Saints offense had different plans. 

With time winding down in the second half, the Saints offense broke through the Knight’s defense again as Junior Christian Yarros found Senior Captain Mark Provost on the left sideline.  Provost collected the ball from Yarros before sending a quick and perfect cross across the Knight’s defense and finding the head of Short waiting at the penalty marker.  Short safely finessed the ball into the upper right corner of the goal past King, giving the Saints the go-ahead score and ultimately the game winning goal.  The goal is Short’s fourth of the season and his third game winning goal.  The Saints outshot the Knights 32-2 in their final regular season game.