ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - Saturday's game was something of a homecoming for the men's soccer coaching staff from SUNY Delhi. Head coach Brian Mitko was an assistant coach at Bard not too long ago. His current assistant, Nick Shenberger, just graduated from Bard in May and left as one of Bard's most prolific strikers.

Once the niceties were over, the teams played a tight, physical match, and Bard prevailed, 2-0.

It wasn't easy. SUNY Delhi (3-2) outshot Bard, 26-11, collected nine corners to Bard's 4, and found a way to stretch Bard's defensive shape, something that hasn't been proven easy so far this season. The difference was that the Broncos didn't put their opportunities away, and Bard did.

Bard senior Antonio Scanni was taken down in the box in the 31st minute. Freshman Naka O'Connor coolly converted the penalty kick, and it was 1-0. That was the score at halftime.

SUNY Delhi continued to work and produced a few good scoring chances in the second half. Keeper Logan Leppo stopped four of them, and the two others hit the crossbar and the post, respectively.

In the 74th minute, back Zach Pilarski made a brilliant play at midfield and burst down the left wing, pinching on a clear attempt. His lefty cross was met at the far post by O'Connor, who volleyed it with his right foot at full stride.

That was it. Leppo made six saves. Marcus Andrino (Yorktown Heights, NY) made three for the Broncos.

Bard doesn't have much time to rest. The Raptors, who have already matches last season's win total at 3-3, play at SUNY Poly on Sunday afternoon.