Box Score

CANTON, N.Y. - The top-ranked St. Lawrence University men's soccer team survived Liberty League opponent Rensselaer 1-0 on a soggy afternoon at Sandy MacAllaster Field as first-year student Jamal Samaroo scored the lone goal less than ten minutes into the second half. With the win, the Scarlet and Brown remain unbeaten at 13-0-0 and move to 6-0-0 in Liberty League play, while the Engineers fall to 5-4-3 (1-2-2).

The two teams played to a 0-0 score at the intermission, though the Engineers kept consistent pressure on the Saints defense throughout the first half.  RPI, which outshot the home team 5-1 in the first 20 minutes of play, had its best chances to score in the 12th minute when junior Adam Updegrove fired a shot from beyond the 18-yard-box that ricocheted off the goal post.  The ball then went directly to teammate Julian Coy, who one-touched towards the net, but right at St. Lawrence senior goaltender Brian Abernethy.

RPI had another great chance to take the lead five minutes into the second half when Brad Shelofsky got a head on a cross from Alex Dotseth from point-blank in front of Abernethy, who made a phenomenal reflex save to keep the game scoreless and preserve his eventual shutout.

The Saints finally broke the scoreless tie in the 54th minute when junior forward Brian Gilloran dribbled the ball in towards the right post, slipped it in front of RPI's goaltender Rob Dewald and found first-year student Jamal Samaroo crashing the net, who tapped the ball into the net for the score.

Samaroo's goal was the only scoring the Saints would need, despite the Engineers outplaying the home team at numerous points throughout the game.  The Saints defense, led by junior back Mike Manfredi, allowed only one shot in the last 20 minutes of play.  Rookie Austin Roney also had a solid defensive outing, stepping in at left back for junior Will Condon who was injured in the Union game. 

The two teams closed at an even 10-10 in shots and 6-6 in corners.  Dewald made four saves in the game, while Abernethy made five stops to earn the win.  

For news and updates regarding RPI men's soccer, fans can follow Engineers Athletics on Facebook (RPI Athletics) and via Twitter (@rpiathletics).  Photos of Rensselaer student-athletes can be purchased at http://www.rpiathletics.com/photos.