Liberty League Release | NSCAA Top 25 | Skidmore Preview

TROY, N.Y. – The Liberty League has announced it weekly award winners in men's soccer and two Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) student-athletes have been recognized. Brett Pyser was selected as the Defensive Performer of the Week, while Vito Mesiti was named to the Honor Roll.
 
A junior centerback from Easthampton, Mass., Pyser led the 16th-ranked Engineers to a pair of 4-0 shutout victories last week. In the two matches, the RPI defense allowed a combined four shot attempts, including only one on-goal. Pyser also chipped in offensively with a goal and an assist against Lyndon State on Wednesday. The tally, which was the first of his collegiate career, was also the game-winner.
 
Pyser has started all six games for the Engineers, playing all 90 minutes in all but two of them. He has helped a back line that has surrendered just one goal on 53 shot attempts, including only 15 on-goal. The former Williston Northampton standout also has a goal and an assist to his credit, with two shots.
 
Averaging 88.3 minutes played per contest, Pyser and the Engineers are allowing 8.8 shots per game, to go along with 16 total corners. After giving up a goal 25:24 into its opening game (a 2-1 victory over UMass Boston), Rensselaer has gone 534:36 without conceding. The one goal against ranks fourth nationally.

A sophomore midfielder out of Slingerlands, N.Y., Mesiti scored two goals and added an assist for a club-best five points last week. He recorded a team-high five shots, including two on goal. The Guilderland High School graduate is second on the team in scoring.
 
The Engineers return the field on Tuesday night, when they host Skidmore College in the Liberty League opener for both teams. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30pm at East Campus Stadium.