Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – Senior Eric Valero scored two goals and added an assist as the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's lacrosse team won its fifth straight game, 10-5, over Vassar College, this afternoon in the Liberty League opener for both schools. With the win, the Engineers improve to 5-3 overall (1-0 Liberty), while the Brewers drop to 3-5 (0-1 Liberty).

Besides RPI putting away three goals in the first quarter and five in the fourth, the matchup remained neck-and-neck in the second and third quarters with both sides scoring a goal in each. Freshman attacker Noah Parson led the Brewers with two goals and one assist.

Valero started the scoring effort at 11:00 off an assist by Colin Fortuner. Wes Rudy and Fortuner added unassisted goals for the 3-0 lead. Sophomore attacker Scott Brekne broke the three-goal streak at 2:11 with a goal off a pass from Parson.

After battling back and forth in the second and third quarters to a 5-3 RPI lead, the Engineers placed five more goals up on the scoreboard in the fourth for the go-ahead win.

Vassar capitalized twice on RPI's four penalties while the Engineers couldn't score off the Brewers' one instance of being short-handed.

Brekne won the majority of face-offs for Vassar, winning 10 of 18 while also giving up non in the third quarter. RPI collected the most ground balls, tallying 36 while Vassar managed 27.

Junior goalie Andrew Nicol recorded 14 saves while RPI's James Manchester stopped seven.

The Brewers are next in action on Saturday, March 30 for a 1pm start against Liberty League opponent, Skidmore College. The Engineers host Clarkson University in a Liberty League game on Saturday, March 30 at 1pm as well.