Coots' OT goal gives men's soccer 1-0 win at Clarkson

By: Stephen Jaynes - Sports Information Director

Men's Soccer | 10/6/2012 3:21:00 PM

Box Score

POTSDAM, NY –- Senior Sean Coots (Binghamton, NY/Johnson City) was able to finish off a rebound in front of the Clarkson net to give the RIT (7-4-0, 2-2-0 Liberty League) men's soccer team a 1-0 overtime win over Clarkson University (1-7-3, 1-2-1 Liberty League) in Liberty League action Saturday afternoon at Hantz Turf Field.

The Tigers controlled the play in the early going, getting eight shots off in the first half, including four on the Clarkson frame. Golden Knights' goalkeeper Saverino Spagnolo stopped all four shots he faced.

The chances for both teams increased in the second half, as Clarkson got a pair of shots on goal in the late going. Sean Conway (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) and the RIT defense were able to keep the Golden Knights at bay.

RIT put some impressive attempts on at Clarkson's goal, but Spagnolo was again up to the task.

In the overtime, Danny Bloshkin (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) sent a corner kick into the penalty area and a first shot bounced off the crossbar. Another ricocheted under the crossbar.

From there, the ball bounded over to the right side and could not be cleared by Clarkson's defense, as Coots was able to use the inside of his right foot to tip the ball across the line with 4:05 remaining in the extra session. The goal was Coots' team-best fourth tally of the year.

RIT possessed a 17-6 edge in shots, including 10 on goal, and had a 4-2 lead in corner kicks. Spagnolo made nine saves for Clarkson, coming up just short of his third straight shutout, while Conway made two saves for the Tigers, recording his third shutout of the year and seventh win overall.

RIT returns to action on Friday, October 12 when the Tigers take on Bard at 4 p.m. in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York.