Canton, NY – Nathan Springer and Lucas Damon each scored a goal within 45 seconds of each other, but the SUNY Canton Roos fell 3-2 at the hands of Bard Raptors on Friday, August 29 to begin the 2025 season.

THE BASICS

• Result: Bard 3, SUNY Canton 2
• Location: SUNY Canton Turf Field – Canton, NY
• Records: SUNY Canton (0-1-0) | Bard (1-0-0)

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After Bard controlled possession for most of the first half, with 17 minutes remaining in the half, the Roos got a chance off a corner kick that led to a open shot at the top of the 18-yard-box that went high on the right from David Bermeo.
• With seven minutes to go in the first half, the Raptors opened the scoring off a free kick right outside the penalty area. The shot by Mateo Betulu deflected off a Roo defender and into the net for a 1-0 Bard lead.
• The Raptors went on to lead 1-0 at half, outshooting the Roos 5-2 through the first 45 minutes.
• In the 58^th minute, a SUNY Canton foul right outside their net led to a penalty shot by Betulu. The Argentinian went low right and Jason Vela guessed incorrectly as Betulu scored his second goal of the game for a 2-0 lead for the visitors.
• Four minutes after Bard doubled their lead, freshman Demetrius Blake Jr. got a chance just outside the 18-yard-box that Jake Sudit made a save on, but the Bard goalkeeper couldn't secure the ball as the ball deflected off to his right. Lucas Damon battled for position and outmuscled a Bard defender to get to the ball first which he sent into the net for the Roos first goal of the 2025 season.
• Just after kickoff after the goal, the Roos got a fastbreak chance with Blake finding Justin Sarmiento with a through ball, then Nathan Springer finished the job finding the top left corner as SUNY Canton found the back of the Raptors net for two goals in 45 seconds to tie the game at 2.
• Less than four minutes after the Roos tied it, Bard scored what went on to be the game-winning goal with just under 23 minutes left in the game. A corner kick led to a header from Henry Skeltis which popped into the air for Betulu to head into the bottom right of the SUNY Canton net and the Raptors controlled a 3-2 lead on Betulu's third goal.
• The Roos put the pressure on late, playing into the Bard zone for most of the late stages of the game. Markel Mosley had a shot on goal with 51 seconds left, but the Roos couldn't find the back of the net by the time the clock expired.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Bard doubled up SUNY Canton in total shots 12-6 although the shots on goal were 6-5 in favor of the Raptors
• Damon recorded his first ever collegiate goal on the night, while Blake Jr. had two assists and a shot on goal in his first game at the college level.
• Each team made three saves with Vela securing three for the Roos, Julien Landau had one save on the lone shot on goal he faced for Bard, while Sudit saved two of four in the Raptors win.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Roos are back in action on Saturday when they host Mount Saint Mary at 2 p.m.
   


Discover SUNY Canton, where innovation meets opportunity. The college's career-focused educational programs emphasize hands-on and applied learning opportunities in digital design, engineering technology, health, information technology, management, public service, and veterinary technology. Faculty members bring real-world experience and exceptional academic expertise to the classroom. As a leader in online education, SUNY Canton offers unmatched flexibility with hundreds of courses and 25 comprehensive degree programs offered completely online. The SUNY Canton Kangaroos compete at the NCAA Division III level and are members of the SUNYAC. In addition to its 15 traditional teams, SUNY Canton offers coed varsity esports and cheerleading.