Randolph Center, VT - The Vermont State University Lyndon men's soccer team battled Vermont State University Randolph for 90 minutes Wednesday afternoon, but an early goal proved to be the difference as the host Knights held on for a 1-0 victory in a non-conference matchup.
Randolph struck in the fourth minute when Calvin Cacciamani finished a feed from Benjamin Bibimba to give the Knights an early advantage. Lyndon goalkeeper Cayden Cowley (Pahrump, NV) kept the Hornets within one, making saves on shots by Cacciamani and Kennedy Eshima later in the opening half.
Lyndon generated its first scoring opportunity in the 22nd minute when Haven Hill Barnes (Saint Johnsbury, VT) put a shot on goal, but Randolph goalkeeper Gabe Sokolnicki made the save. The Hornets also earned corner kicks from Ethan Cardenas (Tracy, CA) in the second and final minutes of the opening half, but Randolph maintained its 1-0 lead at halftime.
The Hornets came out aggressively after the break. Fisher Lajoie (Anchorage, AK) tested Sokolnicki twice in the opening nine minutes of the second half, while Jason Nofsker (Virginia Beach, VA) also put a shot on frame. Sokolnicki turned aside each attempt.
Lajoie continued to create opportunities for Lyndon, forcing another save in the 67th minute. Cardenas later put a shot high in the 71st minute before Nofsker sent an attempt wide in the 81st minute.
Lyndon continued to pressure the Randolph defense in the closing minutes. Cardenas forced another save in the 86th minute, and Eric Shorter (Acworth, GA) followed with a shot that went wide as the Hornets searched for the equalizer.
Cowley finished with three saves for Lyndon, while Sokolnicki recorded five saves to preserve the shutout. Lyndon finished with a 9-8 advantage in shots and held a 5-4 edge in shots on goal. The Hornets also earned three corner kicks to Randolph's four.
The loss drops Lyndon to 0-5-1 overall, while Randolph improves to 2-3-1 on the season.
The Hornets will return home this Saturday, when they host the University of Maine at Presque Isle at 1 p.m. on Varsity Field.
