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TROY, N.Y. – Senior Joey Eilert broke a 1-1 tie in the 61st minute and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's soccer team was able to hold on for a 2-1 victory over Ramapo College, this evening in non-league play from East Campus Stadium. With the win, the Engineers improve to 3-1, while the Roadrunners drop to 2-1-1.

With the game even at 1-1, Rensselaer sophomore Nathaniel Gunderson (Olympia, WA/Tumwater) ripped a free kick that Ramapo sophomore goalkeeper Brian Petrunik (Chatham, NJ/Chatham) couldn't control and Eilert (Wayne, NJ/Wayne Valley) dove in with a header to force the ball over the goal line for the eventual game-winning tally.

The Roadrunners best chance to equalize came in the 76th minute, when a throw-in deep in Engineers' territory found its way into the penalty area for Ramapo freshman Nick Brancato (Nutley, NJ/Nutley), whose low driven shot was cleared off the line by RPI sophomore right back Paul Lentine (Penfield, NY/Penfield).

Ramapo threatened the Rensselaer penalty area a few more times, but were unable to crack junior goalkeeper Rob Dewald (Arlington, VA/Washington-Lee) and Engineers defense a second time.

The visitors opened the scoring in the 25th minute when a ball deflected to senior Anthony Pasciolla (Park Ridge, NJ/St. Joseph) just outside the 18. He took a touch before drilling a shot that made its way into the top left corner of the net.

Ramapo took the 1-0 advantage into the break despite being out-shot by a 6-4 margin. The Engineers also earned five first half corner kicks compared to none for the visitors.

Renssealer freshman Andrew Gondek (Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Spa) brought the hosts even in the 49th minute on a well-executed free kick by the home side. Gondek made a late run into the box and found the Lentine delivery at his feet, before slotting home for his first collegiate tally.

Dewald (3-1) made two saves, while Petrunik (2-0-1) finished the contest with four stops at the other end of the field. RPI wound up with a 15-8 advantage in shots, including a 6-3 edge in shots on frame.

The Engineers are back in action next weekend, when they take part in the Skidmore Classic. RPI takes on SUNY New Paltz on Friday (5pm), before dueling SUNY Potsdam on Saturday (4pm). The Roadrunners travel to Eastern Connecticut State on Saturday (2pm).