That was the exact case for the Paul Smith’s women’s soccer team when Samantha Severing, of Livingston Manor, collected a pass from Leah Coulombe, of Champlain, and riffled the ball into the back of the net in the 47th minute of the Yankee Small College Conference Championship game on Sunday.

The lone goal was just enough for the Bobcats to squeeze past the New Hampshire Technical Institute Lynx by a 1-0 score to claim their second YSCC title in a row. The win also marked the program’s third conference title.

The goal was set up on passes from Madison Reardon, of Saranac Lake, to Haven Bradt, of Berea, Ohio, to Coulombe, who found Severing. With the ball, Severing used a good first touch from her left to set up a chance on the net with her right foot before scoring. From then on, the Paul Smith’s defenders held their ground.

“Our defense won’t get the stats, but to finish without giving up a goal is incredible,” Bobcats head coach Bailey Walton said in a statement. “I have to shout out our entire defensive unit who played so beautifully as a whole. Our stopper, Haven Bradt, center back Jamey Roy, and outside backs Keeley VanValKenburgh, Maddy Jackson and Abigail Bateman played as a complete unit. Our senior goalkeeper Anna Thrasher is playing at the very top of her game right now.”

Members of the Paul Smith’s College women’s soccer team celebrate after winning the Yankee Small College Conference Championship Sunday. (Provided photo — Paul Smith’s Staff — Mercedes Rideout)

Thrasher, of Leonia, New Jersey, was a brick wall in net, recording five saves while earning her seventh shutout of the season.

“The leader and player that Anna has become is a direct result of her hard work and heart she puts into training every single day,” Walton said.

With the conference title, the Bobcats kept their undefeated season intact while improving to 9-0-5 on the season. The team also recorded a 1-0 victory over Southern Maine Community College in overtime to advance to the conference championship game this past Saturday.

After ending regulation tied at 0-0, Coulombe drilled the ball past the Seawolves goalkeeper Grayson Soldati just six minutes into overtime.

Coulombe passed the ball to Grace Kronick, of Cheshire, Massachusetts, who then dribbled down the sideline and sent a cross to Coulombe’s feet. She then put the ball in the left side of the net from just inside the 18-yard line.

Paul Smith’s Madison Reardon, of Saranac Lake, makes a play on the ball with NHTI’s Alina Longver defending her during the Yankee Small College Conference Championship on Sunday. (Provided photo — Paul Smith’s Staff — Mercedes Rideout)

“A top priority for me personally is our team culture and I think that is reflected when we play,” Walton said. “We had two tight games and when things were going tough the team had the ability to grind it out and lift each other up. The team’s character this season is what I am most proud of.”

The Bobcats are slated to travel to Virginia Beach, Virginia from Nov. 9 to 14 to compete at the United States College Athletic Association National Tournament. A season ago, the Bobcats fell in the national championship to SUNY ESF.