Paul Smith’s College men’s soccer players celebrate a goal. (Provided photo — PSC/Mercedes Rideout)

PAUL SMITHS — The Paul Smith’s College men’s soccer team is headed to the Yankee Small College Conference Final Four.

On Saturday, at home, the Bobcats took down the York County Community College Hawks 1-0 following a late goal in the second half to put them through to the semi-finals.

“(It) felt like we were on the front foot all night,” said Bobcat head coach Chris George.

With less than 15 minutes left in the game, the Bobcats had a throw-in from about 20 yards up the touch line. First-year player Sebil Cecunjanin of Lake Placid launched the ball to the top of the 18, where Hyler Isham of Keene Valley was waiting. A deft touch to ground helped Isham settle the ball at his feet, but he was still backward to goal. The midfielder adjusted his position with a half turn and followed it with a powerful, sweeping shot. Isham deposited the high-difficulty shot into the left side-netting, claiming the game-winning goal.

“It’s always a great feeling to help the team get a win, but it’s even better knowing we’re moving onto the semifinals,” Isham said.

“Hyler’s goal was fantastic,” George said. “Hitting a ball like that in turn under pressure is not easy. And it’s always nice to get the shutout, particularly in a game when you’ve had a lot of control. It never felt like we were going to give one up — we did a great job handling the chances they did get.”

PSC Goalkeeper Cazimir Couble of Spofford, New Hampshire, earned the win and recorded his third clean sheet of the campaign, stopping all five shots faced. The junior keeper complimented his defense and the team’s overall control during the game.

“It was a great defensive effort across the field,” Couble said. “We were always fighting for the ball, and I don’t think they had a single shot on target inside the 18.”

The Bobcats move to 8-8-1 on the season and advance to the conference semifinals with the win. They will face Southern Maine CC at 2 p.m. on Saturday in Pottersville, hosted by Word of Life at the Huskies’ turf field. If they win, they’ll have a chance to play for the YSCC Championship on Sunday against either Central Maine CC or Word of Life.

“That’s the last game Kagan (Hance) and Jake (Butler) will play under the lights on our field,” George said. “So doubly happy we could send them off the way they deserve … with a win.”