Box Score

Sal Mangano tallies with just under eight minutes remaining

TROY, NY – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) junior Sal Mangano (Syracuse, NY/Westhill) got the game’s only goal off a rebound with just under eight minutes remaining in the second half and the Red Hawks held off SUNY Institute of Technology (SUNYIT), 1-0, In the season-opening Second Annual Red Hawks-Dutchmen Men’s Soccer Classic held at Rensselaer’s Harkness Field.

With the victory, Rensselaer (1-0-0) has an opportunity to win the tournament, which is based on a point system. The Red Hawks will face Southern Maine, which defeated Union, 1-0, in the first game, for the title on Sunday at noon. SUNYIT will face Union at 2:30pm. The matchups were pre-determined.

“I am happy with the win,” said Rensselaer’s third-year head coach Adam Clinton. “We made it as difficult as we could for ourselves but any win is a good win.”

Following a save of a Craig DiDomenico (Commack, NY/Commack) shot, Mangano controlled the ball out of a scramble and scored on a low shot. Sophomore John Thibdeau (Altamont, NY/Bethlehem), who made one save in relief, earned the win. Nick Bochette (Schaghticoke, NY/Hoosic Valley), a junior, started the game, making five saves in 69:49.

For SUNYIT (1-0-0), Andy Korhun (Latham, NY/Shaker) stopped nine saves, including six in the second half.