Box Score Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – Sophomore Anthony Balbo (Poughkeepsie, NY/Spackenkill) slotted home the game-winning goal in overtime to lift the Hamilton men's soccer team to a 1-0 overtime victory over Rensselaer, this afternoon at Renwyck Field. With the win the Continentals improve to 6-1-2 overall, including a 2-1-0 mark in Liberty League play. The Engineers fall to 4-3-2 (1-1-1 Liberty).

A Hamilton counter attack in the 97th minute turned into the games only goal as senior Jesse Arroyave (North Bergen, NJ/Master School) sent a ball through the left side of the RPI defense. Balbo ran onto it and struck it past the dive of Engineers' senior goaltender Alex Penny (Northport, NY/Northport) and into the open net.

The goal was Balbo's team-leading seventh of the season, while Arroyave's assist was his seventh.

The Engineers had two opportunities earlier in the overtime period, including a try from sophomore Zach Fane (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh) that sailed over the crossbar. RPI's other chance came on a shot attempt by freshman Will Mignon (Garden City, NY/Garden City) that was blocked by a Hamilton defender.

Rensselaer had a number of scoring chances in the first half, including two off the foot of senior Blake Adams (Cedar Grove, NJ/Seton Hall Prep). His first was right into the arms of Hamilton keeper Eric Boole from near the penalty spot. Then classmate Kyle Kreitman (Norwood, NJ/N. Valley Old Tappan) sent a cross in from the left that Adams took down before hitting a half-volley over the top of the net with the outside of his right foot.

RPI held an 11-2 advantage in shots through 45 minutes of play, including a 4-1 edge in shots on target.

In the second half, the Continentals turned up the offensive pressure, outshooting RPI 13-5. Penny was equal to task in the frame, stopping all 10 shots that were headed on frame. Hamilton delivered the best scoring chance in regulation when junior Frank Campagnano (Guilderland, NY/Guilderland) chipped a shot off squarely off the crossbar in the 70th minute of play.

Penny (4-3-2) finished with 11 saves, while Continental's sophomore goalie Eric Boole (Medfield, MA/Medfield) made six stops.

The Engineers are back in action tomorrow afternoon when they host Hobart at Renwyck Field (2pm). Hamilton visits Vassar tomorrow (2pm).