TROY, N.Y. – Senior Brett Pyser scored his first goal of the season, but the eighth-ranked Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's soccer team was forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with Union College on Wednesday night at East Campus Stadium. With the tie, the Engineers move to 8-1-3 (1-1-2 Liberty League), while the Dutchmen are now 6-1-3 (0-0-2 Liberty League).

Union came up with the clear-cut scoring chance, when sophomore Ethan Strauss (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem Central) went on a streaking run into the box and fired a shot that needed to be punched away by Rensselaer sophomore goalie Ryan Nealon (Somers, NY/Somers), in the sixth minute.

Pyser broke a scoreless tie in the 42nd minute, off corner kick by junior Devon Baughen (Sarasota, FL/Pine View). Union goalkeeper John Weitzman (Armonk, NY/Byram Hills) got his left hand to the cross, but it fell to Pyser at the top of the penalty area and he left-footed home a low shot into the right corner of the net.

RPI took the 1-0 lead and a 4-1 shot edge into halftime.

Early in the second half, the Dutchmen turned what could have been a 2-0 deficit into a 1-1 tie. Sophomore Andrew Zendan (Charlotte, NC/Providence) nearly caught Weitzman off his line when he attempted to chip the Union keeper from a free kick, 35 yards out. Weitzman was just able to recover in time and then sprung a break the other way.

Strauss won an aerial battle, before latching onto a loose ball and slotting home a shot off the left post and in. The tally, which was his sixth of the season, came in the 60th minute.

The Dutchmen had a late regulation corner, but were unable to capitalize, sending the game to overtime.

In the first extra frame, RPI senior Nathaniel Gunderson (Olympia, WA/Tumwater) had the club's only attempt on frame, which came from distance in the 94th minute. Union came away with a pair of chance in the second OT, but a tight angle shot by Strauss was kept out by Nealon and a glancing header from senior Carl Faber (Centereach,NY/St. Anthony's) skipped just over the bar.

Nealon (8-1-3) finished with four saves, while Weitzman (3-1-3) had five.

SECOND CAREER GOAL:
Brett Pyser's 42nd minute tally was the second of his collegiate career. He scored one goal last season.

ANOTHER DRAW:
RPI has now tied three of its last four games after winning its first eight.

SCORING FIRST:
The Engineers have scored the first goal in 10 of their 12 games. They are 8-0-2 in those matches.

UP NEXT:
RPI hosts Williams College for a non-league game at East Campus Stadium on Saturday (6:30pm).
The Dutchmen host Bard on Saturday (2pm).