Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – The only shot on goal of the afternoon ended up as the only score as Skidmore defeated the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men’s soccer team, 1-0, at Harkness Field today. The Thoroughbreds improve to 4-6-5 overall and 1-1-4 in the Liberty League, while the Red Hawks fall to 6-5-3 and 2-3-1 in conference play. 

Skidmore tallied the match's only goal  in the 35th minute as senior forward Ty Thiele (Bondville, VT/Burr & Barton Academy) chipped a shot over RPI goalie Alex Penny (Northport, NY/Northport) for the 1-0 lead. Thiele carried the ball up the right flank and was able to beat Penny for his second goal of the season.

The Red Hawks out-shot Skidmore 6-2 in the opening half of play, but were unable to find the target. Senior Gary Sroka (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) received a yellow card in the 20th minute for a hard challenge on Thoroughbreds’ junior Matt Roseboom (Worchester, MA/Beaver County Day).

Rensselaer’s best scoring opportunity of the second half came in the 54th minute. Sophomore Michael Long (Hopkinton, NH/Hopkinton) ripped a shot off the crossbar from 15 yards out, after a ball was played in from the left wing. Sroka followed that effort with a volley that was blocked by a Skidmore defender.

Tim Wisner (Middleburgh, NY/Middleburgh) headed a ball over the net in the 80th minute from just outside the six-yard area. A Kevin Swift (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa) cross was swung in from the right wing to Wisner who was challenged by a Thoroughbred defender, but was able to get the shot off.

The final scoring chance for the Red Hawks came in the 87th minute as Swift collided with Densen at the edge of the six, but the play was ruled offside.

Densen picked up the victory in net for Skidmore, without having to make a stop. Penny, who was also save-less on the day, picked up the loss.

Rensselaer is back in action tomorrow afternoon when it hosts Union (2pm). The Thoroughbreds visit Vassar tomorrow (2pm).