The Skidmore College men's soccer team scored three first-half goals en route to a 3-0 conference win over Bard College, Tuesday evening at Wachenheim Field. The Thoroughbreds improve to 9-5-1 overall and 3-3-1 in the Liberty League, while the Raptors go to 5-11 overall and 1-6 in conference play.
Skidmore controlled play in the opening stages of the first half and pushed ahead in the 16th minute, as Adam Beek converted a penalty kick for his team-leading eighth tally of the season. Tim Sullivan doubled the Thoroughbreds lead with a rebound goal in the 21st minute. Brock Bakewell cut in from the left wing and ripped a shot that was parried away by Bard goalkeeper Daniel Gagne, but Sullivan was waiting on the doorstep and smashed home a strike from eight yards. Augustine Okoye netted Skidmore's third and final goal just over 10 minutes later, chasing down a Beek through ball and pushing past his defender before slotting a strike into the bottom left corner on the breakaway. The Raptors nearly pulled one back in the second half, but Nick Schenberger's headed attempt dropped over the crossbar after he rose to meet an Austin Higgins free kick.
The Thoroughbreds held Bard to three shots over the final 20 minutes, recording their fourth shutout of the season and their third in the last four games. Skidmore outshot Bard 18-5 and had an 8-1 advantage in corners.
Eli Kisselbach and Derrick Yam split time in goal for the Thoroughbreds, making one and two saves, respectively. Gagne tied a season-high with nine saves for the Raptors. Skidmore, which currently sits tied for fourth in the Liberty League standings, closes out its regular season at 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, hosting crosstown rival Union.