SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Freshman midfielder Justin Miller (Monroe, NJ/Monroe) and senior forward Bard Skjelstad (Bodo, Norway) scored goals just 47 seconds apart as the Caldwell College men's soccer team came back from a one-goal deficit to defeat Le Moyne College, 2-1 in a non-conference match Tuesday afternoon at the Niland Athletics Complex. The victory gives the Cougars, ranked 10th in the latest New England Region poll, an overall record of 10-5-1, while the Dolphins, ranked sixth regionally, fall to 8-6-3.
Le Moyne's Robert Moskwa gave the Dolphins a 1-0 lead with his goal in the 36th minute. Then a little over 13 minutes into the second half, Miller, pictured, took a crossing pass from junior defender Jan Marco Jiras (Lima, Peru) and scored his second goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1. Skjelstad was also credited with an assist on the play. Less than a minute later it was Miller's turn to set up Skjelstad with a cross from the right. Skjelstad put the ball into the lower left corner of the goal for his third tally of the season. The goal would prove to be his second game-winner this year as the Cougars made the one-goal advantage stand.
Sophomore goalkeeper John Plaugic (Kearny, NJ/Kearny) made four saves to preserve the victory, while Le Moyne's Steve White recorded five saves.
The Cougars have won three straight, with two of those victories coming against teams ranked in the New England Region. Tuesday's win gives Caldwell a 3-1 record over Northeast-10 Conference opponents this season.
Caldwell will host Dowling College, undefeated and ranked No. 1 nationally, on Friday, Oct. 20 in the final regular-season home game of the season. Six seniors also will play in their last regular-season game at home. Kick-off is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at Caldwell Field.
CC - 0 2 - 2
LC - 1 0 - 1
Scoring Summary: 1. LC – Robert Moskwa (Mark Lukowiecki), 35:35. 2. CC – Justin Miller 2 (Jan Marco Jiras, Bard Skjelstad), 58:12. 3. CC – Skjelstad 3 (Miller), 58:59.
Shots: CC - 12; LC - 11
Saves: CC – John Plaugic 4; LC – Steve White 5
Corners: CC - 6; LC - 4
Fouls: CC - 15; LC - 18
Offsides: CC - 3; LC - 1
Cautions: CC – Jiras (16:55); LC – Oot (67:16), Bench (69:00), Lukowiecki (84:18), Cunningham (90:00)
