Box Score

Red Hawks down Southern Maine, 3-0, to capture title

TROY, N.Y. – Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) got three second half goals and held the University of Southern Maine to only one shot on goal in defeating the Huskies, 3-0, in the season-opening Second Annual Red Hawks-Dutchmen Men’s Soccer Classic held at Harkness Field. With the victory, RPI improves to 2-0-0 and claims the tournament title for the second consecutive year. Southern Maine falls to 1-1-0.

“It is very gratifying to win a tournament, especially at home,” Rensselaer third-year head coach Adam Clinton said. “We still have a lot of things to work out, but overall it was a very gutty performance.”

Senior forward Craig DiDomenico (Commack, NY/Commack) put the home team ahead with 16:36 remaining in the second half when he drilled home a rebound from the goal line. The goal came after RPI’s Kevin Grammer (Weymouth, MA/Weymouth) took a shot from the left side that was stopped but not controlled by Southern Maine goalkeeper Chris Willard (Hampton, CT/Parish Hill). The ball rolled across the goal line and DiDomenico deposited it for his first goal of the season.

Sophomore Sal Mangano (Syracuse, NY/Westhill) doubled Rensselaer’s lead when he scored on a penalty kick with 10:08 left in the second half. The Red Hawks were awarded the penalty shot after a USM yellow card was assessed in the box. The goal was the second in as many games for Mangano. Freshman Max Molleo (Gray, ME/Cheverus) added the third marker with 1:01 left for the final margin. Louis Martinelli (Ozone Park, NY/Archbishop Molloy), a sophomore, earned the assist on the play.

Sophomore goalkeeper John Thibdeau (Altamont, NY/Bethlehem) made one save to pick up the win while Willard stopped 11 shots, including six in the second half.

Rensselaer returns to action on Wednesday when it travels to Manhattanville for a non-league affair (4pm). Southern Maine plays again on Thursday when it travels to in-state rival St. Joseph’s (4pm).