SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - Playing the role of spoiler isn't their first choice, but the Bard College men's soccer team usually approaches it with gusto, like last fall, when they beat Skidmore in what was at the time a must-win game for the Thoroughbreds in the last week of the season.

Similar circumstances surrounded Tuesday night's game in Saratoga. This time, though, the Thoroughbreds prevailed and kept their Liberty League playoff hopes alive, holding off Bard, 2-1.

A pair of first-half goals did the Raptors in. The first came in the 26th minute, when Ben Caples (Wayland, MA) launched a long throw in from the sideline directly into the box. Adebare Oyeniyi (Lagos, Nigeria) headed it in from right on the doorstep, literally less than two yards from the goal line.

About 10 minutes later, Mike Park (Upper Saddle River, NJ) beat Taylor Bond low to the far post from the top of the box, after he one-timed a pass from Nick Masiero (Richmond, MA).

Bard pressed forward in the second half and it eventually put Skidmore on its heels. In the 58th minute, Bard almost halved the lead. A long free kick from David Mamukelashvili was headed on goal from close range by Jake Cicero, but Derrick Yam (Longmeadow, MA) made the save.

In the 70th minute, Bard did halve the lead. Nick Shenberger twisted a shot/cross into the box from the right side, and Jasper Shorter found it, punching a low one-timer in to make it 2-1.

Just three minutes later, Yam was forced to make a good save off a volley from Lucas Bourgine. At this point, Skidmore was just clearing the ball indiscriminately and holding Bard off. But the Raptors eventually ran out of gas, and Skidmore hung on.

Bard outshot Skidmore 7-5 in the second half. Yam finished with three saves; Bond made four. Skidmore is 7-5-3 overall, 4-1-2 in the Liberty League.

It's possible that Saturday's home finale vs. Vassar could provide another spoiler opportunity for Bard, but the Raptors have something else to play for. At 6-7-3 overall, they are a victory away from qualifying for the ECAC Championships.

If Bard doesn't beat Vassar on Saturday, it'll be the final game for Tamaki Chiba, Austin Higgins, David Mamukelashvili and Mark Mannara. Follow it live right here on Saturday at 2 if you can't make it.