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TROY, N.Y. – Senior Luke Halberg scored twice to lead the Oneonta State men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), this afternoon in non-league action from Renwyck Field. With the win, the Red Dragons improve to 4-2-1, while the Engineers drop to 5-3.

Halberg (Norwich, NY/Valley Heights Christian Academy) got the Red Dragons on the scoreboard in the 26th minute, when he buried a chance from the left side of goal. Junior Justin Rivera (Bay Shore, NY/Bay Shore) delivered a ball into the penalty area that was controlled by Halberg, before he placed it neatly past RPI senior goalkeeper Craig Bennett (Oakdale, NY/Connetquot).

Oneonta took the 1-0 lead to the break, despite an even tally in the shot count (4-4). The Red Dragons did hold a slight 2-1 edge in first half corners.

Rensselaer nearly drew even in the 54th minute, when sophomore right back Paul Lentine (Penfield, NY/Penfield Senior) found junior captain Matt Koziol (Poughkeepsie, NY/Franklin D. Roosevelt) streaking into the box. Koziol touched the ball past Oneonta junior keeper Vincent Pellegrino (Baldwin, NY/Baldwin) and into the net, but the play was ruled offside.

Halberg then completed the double in the 67th minute, cutting into the penalty area from the left wing, before curling a shot over the outstretched arms of Rensselaer freshman goalkeeper Alex Kessler (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem) and into the right side netting.

Pellegrino (1-1-1) earned his first victory of the season, stopping two shots, while Bennett (0-1) and Kessler each allowed a goal, while saving two. The Red Dragons finished with an 11-9 edge in shots, including 6-2 on-goal.

The Engineers are off until October 5 and 6, when they travel to North Country rivals St. Lawrence (4pm) and Clarkson (2pm), respectively. Oneonta State travels to Western New England tomorrow for another non-conference game (2pm).