Brady Leitner scored twice Saturday afternoon, including the go-ahead goal in the second half, as 21st-ranked Hobart soccer rallied for a 2-1 Liberty League victory over Bard on Cozzens Field.
The win moved the Statesmen to 8-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play, while Bard suffered its first loss of the season and fell to 7-1 overall and 0-1 in the Liberty League.
Leitner’s two-goal performance marked his second consecutive multi-goal game and gave him six goals this season. Quinn Phillips assisted on both goals, while goalkeeper Jake Hans made three saves across 90 minutes.
Bard opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Henry Skeltis finished a cross from Emmett Olson following a free kick. Hobart answered six minutes later as Leitner controlled a long pass from Phillips before chipping a shot past goalkeeper Jake Sudit.
The match remained tied through halftime before Hobart broke through again in the 73rd minute. Phillips delivered a corner kick into the box, where Leitner headed it into the net for the eventual game-winner.
Hobart finished with a 12-9 advantage in shots and earned six corner kicks compared with four for Bard.
The Statesmen had several early opportunities, including a diving save by Sudit on Leitner in the eighth minute. Gabe Smith narrowly missed the right post moments later, while Owen Lucano was denied in the 34th minute.
Bard nearly regained the lead early in the second half, but Hans made a key save on Mateo Betelu in the 65th minute. Danny Spataro also had a chance to put Hobart ahead three minutes earlier, but Sudit stopped his attempt.
Bard generated two corner kicks during the final three minutes, but Hobart’s defense held firm.
Hobart returns to action next weekend, hosting Clarkson and Cortland. Both matches are scheduled for 2 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.
