Box Score

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Freshman midfielder Ryan Banagan (Albany, NY/Bethlehem Central) broke a scoreless tie with 38:19 left in the second half to lead Union to a 2-0 Liberty League men’s soccer triumph over Rensselaer at College Park.

The Dutchmen, ranked #24 in the NSCAA/adidas NCAA Division III poll, improved to 7-1-2 on the season and 2-0-1 in Liberty League play. Union has now posted four straight shutouts and is 3-0-1 in that span. The Red Hawks fell to 4-7-0 overall and 0-3-0 in the league.

Banagan took a feed from the left corner from Chris Poey (Amherst, MA/Amherst Regional) and knocked in his fifth goal of his rookie season. Poey scored his eighth of the campaign to add insurance at 82:50, with a touch shot from five yards out in front after a pass from the left side from Jack Scott (Huntington, NY/Huntington).

The Red Hawks had a chance to get on the board with 8:37 remaining taken away by Union goalkeeper Rob Kramer (Westport, NY/Staples). The sophomore keeper made a strong save after a header from sophomore Tim Wisner (Middleburgh, NY/Middleburgh).

Rensselaer had a 12-10 shot advantage on the day, and the teams each had three corners. John Thibdeau (Altamont, NY/Bethlehem) made six saves in the visiting net.

Union hosts Vassar in another Liberty League home game Saturday at 2pm, while Rensselaer will play a league game at Skidmore Saturday at 2pm.