Box Score Box Score / Post-Game Comments

TROY, N.Y. – Freshman Aaron Shavel scored three goals to pace the 16th-ranked Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's lacrosse team to a 9-4 victory over Vassar College, this afternoon, in the Liberty League opener for both schools. With the win, the Engineers improve to 7-0 overall (1-0 Liberty), while the Brewers drop to 2-4 overall (0-1 Liberty).

It was the visitors who found the back of the net first, as sophomore Max Herman (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central Regional) flipped in a wrap-around goal for the first of his two goals on the day, with 7:09 to play in the first quarter.

The Engineers answered with five consecutive goals, including senior Andrew Miller's (New Hartford, NY/New Hartford) team-leading 13th of the season. Miller's tally, which was assisted by junior Eric Valero (Princeton Junction, NJ/Windsor Plainsboro), came in a man-up situation.

RPI took a 5-1 lead at the half, while outshooting the Brewers 23-7. The Engineers also held a 19-15 edge in ground balls after 30 minutes.

Vassar kicked off the second half with back-to-back goals by senior Jeff Lee (Syosset, NY/Syosset) and Herman, to pull within 5-3. Miller netted his second of the game, just 15 seconds later to give the hosts back their three-goal lead.

After senior Jack Gross (Yarmouth, ME/Yarmouth) brought the visitors within two (6-4) once again, Shavel (Lawrenceville, NJ/Princeton Day School) took over, scoring two of game's final three goals.

Engineers' junior goaltender James Manchester (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna) earned the win making five saves, while Vassar sophomore Andrew Nicol (Carmel, NY/Brewster) came up with 17 stops at the other end of the field.

Rensselaer is back in action on Wednesday, when it visits SUNY Oneonta (4pm) for a non-league affair. The Brewers host Morrisville State on Wednesday (7pm).