Box Score Box Score

KEENE, N.H. - The Rensselaer men's lacrosse team held a four-goal advantage at halftime but were unable to hold off the host Owls of Keene State, losing 11-9. Senior Wes Rudy (Doylestown, Pa.) had three goals and an assist, while Eric Valero notched two goals for the Engineers. 

The Owls (1-0) trailed 7-1 late in the second quarter before mounting their comeback. 

Senior Taylor Jette (Simsbury, Conn.) got the game-winning goal with 4:35 to play, finding the back of the net with a low, hard shot from 20 feet out that beat RPI senior goalie James Manchester (Niskayuna, N.Y.) 

Seniors Taylor Wickie (Fairfield, Conn.), Ian Hart (Richmond, N.H.) and Jette, sophomores Kevin Carey (Mahopac, N.Y.) and Ryan Hart (Richmond, N.H.) and freshman Tyler McKelvie (Acton, Mass.) each scored two goals. Wicke, Jette and Ian Hart also had two assists.

Keene State started its comeback late in the second quarter. Wicke and Ryan Hart scored two quick goals with less than 20 second to go to make it a 7-3 game at the half. Looking to spark his team, Theriault also changed goalies, putting freshman Alex Sharp (Acton, Mass.) between the pipes.

McKelvie, another freshman, also played a key role in the comeback, scoring consecutives goals 11 seconds a part to get KSC within two (8-6).

After Jette scored to tie the game at eight-all, Rudy gave RPI its last lead (9-8) at the 8:55 mark of the fourth quarter. Keene State tied the game on a goal by Wicke less than a minute later.

That set the stage for the game-winner by Jette that came on a transition play after the Owls failed clear.  Junior Tajh Russell (Agawam, Mass.) added an insurance goal with 3:42 to play.

Statically, the game was pretty even.  RPI had a slim 35-34 advantage in shots while each team was 11-22 in the face-off circle. 

Sophomore Jack Rogers (Acton, Mass.) made five saves in the first half before Sharp took over. Manchester had nine saves for the Engineers.