ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. - The strategy was clear from the start of Wednesday night's game. The Bard College men's soccer team was going to keep its defensive shape no matter what defending Skyline Champion Mount St. Mary had in mind.

If counterattacks presented themselves, great.

It almost worked, but an own-goal in the 70th minute proved to be the difference at Mount St. Mary held off Bard, 1-0.

The Knights carried most of the possession through the first half, and Bard keeper Logan Leppo made four saves in the first 45 minutes, but nothing too threatening. Bard had a couple of good counter opportunities, one in particular in the 44th minute by Naka O'Connor was turned away from Mount keeper Jakup Myrtja (Ulcinj, Montenegro) from close range.

The second half was similarly played, though the guests tried harder to get the Bard defense out of position, and it gave the Raptors a couple more counter opportunities. In the 70th minute, Matt Flanagan burst down the right side for the Knights, and he struck an excellent low cross across the goalmouth. A slide Bard defender at the near post tried to clear it wide, but it went in.

Bard pushed forward desperately for the rest of the game, producing a couple of excellent chances, include one late by freshman Pat Devine, but he was thwarted in the box by the sliding tackle of a Mount defender at the last possible moment.

In the end, the Knights (2-1) outshot Bard, 12-7, and collected seven corners to two. Myrtja made five saves, and Bard's Leppo made six.

Up next for Bard (2-1) is a tournament at nearby New Paltz over the weekend. The Raptors will play Lehman on Saturday, and NYU on Sunday. Follow both games live right here.