YONKERS, N.Y. – The Sarah Lawrence College men's soccer team fell to Bard College, 1-0, on Wednesday, September 16 at Fleming Soccer Field, as sophomore goalkeeper Joseph Vaca turned in a career performance in the second half.
Vaca entered at halftime and kept the Gryphons within one throughout the final 45 minutes, making a career-high seven saves against the Raptors (6-0). Bard finished the match with a 12-2 advantage in shots and an 8-1 edge in shots on goal, but Vaca denied every shot he faced in the second half.
Sarah Lawrence (1-2-3) generated the opening scoring opportunity in the 18th minute, when Ryan Gunderson put a shot on target that was saved by Bard goalkeeper Jake Sudit. Dylan Peavoy added another attempt in the 21st minute, but his shot missed wide left.
Bard broke through in the 31st minute on a goal from Luca Costanzo, giving the Raptors a 1-0 lead.
Vaca immediately made his presence felt, turning aside back-to-back shots following Bard corner kicks in the 49th and 50th minutes. The career-high performance continued as the Raptors generated seven additional shots in the second half, with Vaca making five more saves to keep the deficit at one.
The Gryphons continued to battle defensively, holding Bard off the scoreboard for the remainder of the match. Bard's final shot came in the 87th minute, but Vaca and the Sarah Lawrence defense kept the Raptors from adding to their lead.
Gunderson and Peavoy accounted for the Gryphons' two shots on the night, with Gunderson recording the team's lone shot on target.
Josh Cecutti was issued a yellow card in the 64th minute, while Bard's Henry Skeltis received a yellow card in the 86th.
The Gryphons return to action Saturday, September 19, when they open Skyline Conference play against the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m. at Fleming Soccer Field.
