Potsdam, N.Y.- An early goal stood for the game-winner as the Clarkson University Men's Soccer team battled to a 1-0 win against Bard, Friday evening. 

The victory lifts Clarkson to 6-1-6, 2-1-3 in conference as the team hosts #10 Vassar College in a highly anticipated Liberty League match-up, Saturday afternoon, before which the team will recognize the seniors of the Class of 2025. 

Five minutes was all it took for the Knights to get on the board. Josh Baraka made a slicing attack towards the right side of Bard's defense, managing to shift the defense to his side, opening up space on the left wing. A driven early cross from Baraka snuck through several Raptor defenders at the top of the 18-yard box, falling to the feet of Jonathan Dereka on the left-side. Dereka was afforded time to settle the pass, placing a driven left-footed shot into the top right corner of the goal, giving the Bard goalie little chance and the Green and Gold a well-deserved lead.

In the 18th minute of action, Julian Landau, in net for Bard, showcased some expert goalkeeping off a chance from Daniel Medina. Medina broke through the left side of the defense again and fired a shot that was headed for the bottom right corner before Landau got his fingertips to the ball, keeping Clarkson's lead at 1-0. 

Dereka came close to adding his second of the game in the 19th minute as the mounting pressure from Clarkson nearly broke through again. Off a corner from the right-side, the cross was partially cleared by a defender, high into the air, falling at the feet of Dereka. The initial shot was blocked before the midfielder's second go at the ball flew past the outstretched arms of the goalie and off the top of the crossbar, out of play. 

Chances were few and far between during the remainder of the half with both teams struggling to assert any dominance outside of the middle part of the field. 

The second half started in similar fashion to the end of the first as both teams grappled for control of the game. 

Clarkson managed to create several chances over the course of the final 45 minutes, but only one of those chances was on goal, courtesy of a shot by Zach Shufelt from close to the edge of the penalty box which was collected by Landau. 

Bard was able to build some pressure on the Golden Knights' defense late on in the game, winning several corners and free-kicks in dangerous positions with each attempt being met by a Clarkson defender clearing the ball out of danger. The best chance for the visitors presented itself in the 82nd minute off a corner kick. Zach Burmeister rose above the defense, connecting on a header that continued to rise over the bar and out of play. 

Carter Kladstrup oversaw a somewhat uneventful contest in net for the Knights as Bard managed zero shots on goal while Landau made two saves in net for the Raptors.

Clarkson led the way in shots (16-4), shots on goal (3-0), and corners (4-3).