CALDWELL, N.J. - Junior forward Bard Skjelstad (Bodo, Norway) scored two goals as the Caldwell College men's soccer team won its Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference opener against Holy Family University, 3-1 Tuesday afternoon at Caldwell Field. The Cougars, ranked ninth in the latest New England Region rankings, improved to 2-1-1 on the season, while the Tigers, ranked 10th regionally, fell to 3-1.
Skjelstad opened the scoring in the 12th minute, when he collected a rebound off a shot from junior forward Uke Dauti (West Orange, NJ/West Orange) and beat Holy Family goalkeeper Sean Cahill for an early 1-0 lead. The goal was the first allowed by Cahill and the Tigers this season. Sophomore defender Andrew Fraser (Kingston, Jamaica/Wolmer's) gave the Cougar a two-goal advantage when he collected a loose ball on the left flank and blasted a shot from 30 yards out that snuck under a diving Cahill in the 21st minute. But Holy Family pulled within a goal 11 minutes later on Matt Kocher's tally off a pass from Jim Latronica.
The Cougars regrouped at halftime and restored their two-goal lead in the 57th minute. Junior midfielder Jorge Ibarcena (Lima, Peru) sent a cross to sophomore defender Asgeir Ofstad (Trondheim, Norway), who played the ball to Skjelstad near the top of the penalty area. Skjelstad ripped a shot from 18 yards for his second goal of the game and third of the season. An all-New England Region second team selection a year ago, Skjelstad leads the Cougars with three goals and two assists in three games this season.
Freshman goalkeeper John Plaugic (Kearny, NJ/Kearny), making his collegiate debut, recorded one save to earn his first career victory. Cahill, the current CACC Player of the Week, made seven saves as the Cougars out-shot the Tigers 15-4.
The Cougars return to action on Thursday, Sept. 15, when they play at CACC-foe Nyack College. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m.
CC - 2 1 - 3
HFU - 1 0 - 1
Scoring Summary: 1. CC - Bard Skjelstad 2 (Uke Dauti), 11:44. 2. CC - Andrew Fraser 1 (unassisted), 20:33. 3. HFU - Matt Kocher 1 (Jim Latronica, Chris Weber), 31:01. 4. CC - Skjelstad 3 (Asgeir Ofstad, Jorge Ibarcena), 56:55.
Shots: CC - 15; HFU - 4
Saves: CC - John Plaugic, 1; HFU - Sean Cahill, 7
Corners: CC - 2; HFU - 1
Fouls: CC - 12; HFU - 13
Offsides: CC - 2; HFU - 3
Cautions: CC - Harriott (69:25), Ibarcena (81:53); HFU - Latronica (43:23), Chris Jones (64:20), Kientzy (80:10)
