ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - The Bard College men's soccer team scored once in each half in a workmanlike 2-0 victory over SUNY Cobleskill in the season-opener for both teams on Thursday night.

Bard dominated possession early and scored just over five minutes into the game. Antonio Scanni punched a pass from the center circle to a streaking Nick Shenberger who was running down the center, and the striker simply outran a defender as he moved left to get an angle on a shot, and beat the Fighting Tigers' freshman keeper Paul Martini (Cornwall, NY) with a lefty boot low to the far post.

After that point, Cobleskill was a lot more careful about balls being funnelled down the middle, so although Bard outshot Cobleskill 15-4 in the first half, only Jasper Shorter's high attempt from close range just before halftime really had goal written all over it.

The Fighting Tigers came out with pressure early in the second half, producing one very good chance, but Gaurav Dhasmana (Inwood, NY) pushed a rebound just wide of the post in the 65th minute.

Later, Bard doubled its lead. As the 80th minute approached, consecutive shots by Austin Higgins and Francesco Mastrocinque were blocked, but Higgins gathered the last one along the left side and chipped a short cross into the box. Mark Mannara deftly one-timed it with his left foot, and it rolled slowly off the far post and in.

For the game, Bard outshot Cobleskill, 24-11. Martini made seven saves for the visitors; Taylor Bond made five saves for Bard.

Bard hits the road this weekend for another non-league game. They'll play SUNY Canton on Sunday at 3. Live Stats and Live Video are available for that game, so keep an eye on it right here.