Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – Backed by two goals from sophomore Ben Russell (Rochester, NY/Penfield), the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men’s soccer team defeated Alfred, 3-0, in non-conference action this afternoon. With the victory, the Red Hawks improve to 5-3-1 overall (1-1-0 Liberty), while the Saxons fall to 1-6-1 (0-1-0 Empire 8).

Senior Gary Sroka (Liverpool, NY/Liverpool) ripped a shot from the top of the 18 yard area to give the Red Hawks a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute. A cross from the left wing was settled down nicely from his chest by sophomore Michael Long (Hopkinton, NH/Hopkinton), laying the ball off to Sroka, who’s shot found the upper left corner of the net.

RPI took a 2-0 advantage in the 41st minute when Russell finished a break-way goal. Sophomore forward Andy Carter (Ballston Lake, NY/Shenendehowa) flicked a ball forward sending Russell in alone on Alfred goalkeeper Patrick Grimmer. It took a nice finish off of the inside of the far post to beat Grimmer who was charging on the play.

Russell added an insurance goal in the 81st minute with a diving header just over the outstretched arms of the Saxon’s goalie to put Rensselaer up 3-0. Liezer Esquenazi (Cypress, TX/Cy-Fair) delivered the cross for the first assist of his career.

The Red Hawks out-shot Alfred 10-0 in the first half and finished with an 18-2 edge in total shots. RPI also finished the game with an eight to two advantage in corners taken.

Russell’s two goals give him three on the year. Sroka’s tally was his fourth on the season. The team now has a record of 4-0 when the Liverpool, NY, native finds the back of the net.

Rensselaer freshman goalkeeper Alex Penny (Northport, NY/Northport) stopped one shot in picking up the shutout win. He improves to 4-1 this season. Grimmer, a junior from Bath, NY, stopped six shots for Alfred. He falls to 0-3-1 on the year.

RPI gets back to its Liberty League schedule on October 5th and 6th when it travels to Hobart and Hamilton. Alfred continues its Empire 8 schedule on Saturday when the Saxon’s travel to Rochester to take on Nazareth.