Cobleskill, NY – The Fighting Tigers men's soccer team struck twice in the first half and then held firm defensively to earn a 2-1 victory over Mount Saint Mary College on Wednesday evening at the Soccer/Lacrosse Complex.

First-year forward Gavin McEnroe (Burlington Flats, NY/Edmeston) netted the eventual game-winner, scoring his second goal of the season with a powerful header. Senior Spencer Reisman (Youngstown, NY/Lewiston Porter) opened the scoring with his first goal of the year, while junior Connor Fancher (Worcester, NY) was credited with his first assist.

In his first start of the season, junior goalkeeper Joe Wille (Gilboa, NY) delivered a standout performance, coming up with multiple clutch saves down the stretch. Wille finished with seven stops on the night, repeatedly cutting out dangerous crosses and turning away late chances to preserve the win.

The Knights held a 17-3 advantage in total shots and an 8-3 edge in shots on goal. Despite the imbalance, Cobleskill made the most of its chances, forcing the Knights' keeper into just one save while Wille anchored the Tigers' back line.

The match opened in end-to-end fashion until the 15th minute, when Reisman pounced on a loose ball at the top of the box and rifled a shot into the far post to give the Tigers a 1-0 advantage. Mount Saint Mary responded eight minutes later, converting a header off a set piece to level the score at 1-1.

Cobleskill wasted little time regaining the lead. In the 26th minute, McEnroe rose high to head home a pinpoint cross from Fancher, putting the Tigers back on top 2-1.

The second half saw the visitors push numbers forward, but the Tigers' defense held its shape with a bend-but-don't-break mentality. Wille stayed sharp in goal, denying several dangerous looks in the final minutes to secure the hard-fought win.

Up Next:
The Fighting Tigers open North Atlantic Conference play this weekend with a road trip to Maine, beginning Saturday, September 13, at Maine Maritime Academy. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.