Box Score

SCHENECTADY, NY –  In the second game of the Union College Classic, senior Michael Birk and sophomore Matt Koziol each scored within 18 seconds of each other in the first half to help RPI (1-0) earn a 2-1 win over Cabrini College (0-1) at Frank Bailey Field. Cabrini freshman Boomer Steigelman scored late in the second half for the Cavaliers.

The Engineers got on the scoreboard first at the 15:37 mark of the first half as Birk rose above the Cabrini defense for a header in the box off a corner kick from senior Zach Fane.

RPI followed with another goal seconds later, as Koziol regained possession from the midline and fired a shot into the upper left corner of the net to put the Engineers up 2-0 at 15:55.

RPI's Matt Carberry nearly made it 3-0 with just over a minute remaining, but his left footer from 15 yards out hit the inside of the post, and Cabrini goaltender Eric Nowicky smothered the rebound.

Cabrini picked up the pressure in the second half, rallying to cut the RPI lead to 2-1 on the second of two great chances.

Boomer Steigelman's left foot from the corner of the 18-yard box was punched away by RPI goalie Rob Dewald in the 67th minute of the contest.
                                  
But Steigelman would convert later in the half, finishing a broken play inside the box by corralling a loose ball and firing into the lower left corner with 16:18 to play.

The Cavaliers did not threaten the rest of the way, as the Engineers earned their first win of the season. RPI takes on Cazenovia College (0-1) on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m., while Union (1-0) hosts Cabrini at 3:30 p.m.