Box Score
ANNANDALE, N.Y. - To simply say that things have changed wouldn't really be fair.

When 17 new players were added to the Bard College men's soccer roster this fall, it was obvious that things had changed. But nobody would know just how much until they actually took the field and played a quality opponent.

On Friday night, the Raptors went toe-to-toe with powerful defending Skyline Conference champion and 2013 NCAA qualifier Mount Saint Mary College, losing a heartbreaker in overtime, 3-2. Michael Ennis (Carmel, NY) pounced on a turnover in the first minute of OT and blasted a low, hard shot to the near post to produce the golden goal.

It ended what was a testy, physical, compelling game that had the large crowd rising and falling in voice with each scoring opportunity.

It was clear just a few minutes into the game and through the first half that the Knights had the more experienced side, and they held possession and produced the only scoring opportunities of the first 45 minutes, even though they weren't excellent chances. It was scoreless at halftime; Mount Saint Mary had six shots (3 on goal) to Bard's none.

The second half was much different. The stubborn Bard lineup - including at any given time nine freshmen - continued to fight and scrap for every 50-50 ball and it started to produce results. After a misplay of a throw-in just a few minutes into the second half, Bard sophomore David Mamukelashvili hit the crossbar with a driving shot, and the concern on the Mount Saint Mary side was evident. The game had changed and was now being played evenly.

Concern turned to near panic in the 51st minute. Bard freshman Jasper Shorter took a pass beyond the top of the box and immediately sped to his left. His lefty shot looked to be hard and low to the near post, and that's where Knights' keeper Tyler Biscone (Garden City, NY) was headed when it was deflected by a defender and floated gently into the open goal mouth for a stunning 1-0 Bard lead.

Mount Saint Mary responded with great urgency and tied it up just six minutes later, Ennis banging home a cross from Nick Ciani (Vernon, NJ) to make it 1-1. Just under eight minutes later, a great individual effort by Matt Garcia (Wappingers Falls, NY) produced a shot that hit the post, and freshman Eric Hayes was right there for the rebound to make it 2-1 in the 65th minute.

The Knights' relief was obvious; they started to play a little slower and stopped trying so hard to score. They managed the lead just like you'd expect a team with 18 returning players would, knocking the ball around and pursuing opportunities as they came, all the while being careful in back.

But that didn't work.

The Raptors, playing with desperation, tied it in the 84th minute. Late sub John Flynn, a burly freshman, got the best of a Knights' defender on a 50-50 ball on the left wing and sent the ball into the box. Higgins was there with a defender draped all over him, but he got off a good shot that hit the near post. The rebound rolled directly in front of the goal, where another freshman, Matt Rowlinson, punched it in and set off a celebration both on the field and in the stands.

In the 89th minute, Higgins hit the post again. But in the first minute of overtime, Ennis ended it and Mount Saint Mary escaped.

So, no, it wouldn't be fair to just say things have changed. Things have completely changed. The Raptors will have another opportunity to prove it on Sunday afternoon at 2 when Hunter College visits Annandale.