Tigers Storm Back for 3-1 NAC Win over VTSU-Johnson

COBLESKILL – The Fighting Tigers erupted for three goals in an eight-minute span in the second half to complete a dramatic comeback and defeat VTSU-Johnson 3-1 in North Atlantic Conference play on Sunday afternoon at the Cobleskill Soccer Complex.

Playmaker Spencer Reisman (Youngstown, N.Y.) sparked the Cobleskill attack, scoring the game-winning goal and adding an assist. Defender Andrew Rimes (Walden, N.Y.) made a major impact at both ends, recording a goal and an assist, while defender Rob Staubitz (East Rockaway, N.Y.) opened the scoring for Cobleskill with his first goal of the season off a corner. Forward Gavin McEnroe (Burlington Flats, N.Y.) and midfielder Connor Fancher (Worcester, N.Y.) each chipped in an assist.

In goal, Joe Wille (Gilboa-Conesville) went the full 90 minutes, making two key saves to secure the victory.

Johnson held a narrow 12-9 edge in total shots, but the Tigers were far more clinical, putting four on target and converting three. Wille recorded two saves, while the Johnson keeper finished with one. The Badgers led 6-3 in corner kicks.

With postseason hopes on the line, both sides battled through a physical, end-to-end first half. Johnson found the breakthrough in the 40th minute when Josiah Phillips drove a strike from 18 yards out into the back of the net to give the visitors a 1-0 lead at the break.

The Tigers came out of halftime with renewed energy and quickly turned the tide. The comeback began in the 56th minute when Reisman delivered a curling corner to the back post, where Staubitz rose above the defense and powered home a header to level the match at 1-1.

Momentum stayed with Cobleskill, and just seven minutes later Reisman collected a loose ball outside the box and curled a left-footed shot into the top corner for the go-ahead goal. The Tigers struck again less than two minutes later, as Rimes hammered home a rebound from a Fancher effort to make it 3-1.

Cobleskill’s defense stayed sharp down the stretch, keeping the Badgers off the board after a late penalty attempt sailed over the bar. The 3-1 win extends the Tigers’ playoff push heading into the final week of the regular season.

Up Next:

The Fighting Tigers return to action next Saturday, October 25, for a must-win home match against SUNY Delhi. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at the Cobleskill Soccer Complex.