ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – Junior Devon Baughen (Sarasota, FL) scored on a  beautifully placed direct kick in the 52nd minute, and the 15th-ranked Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute men's soccer team held off Bard College, 1-0, in the Liberty League opener for both schools on Saturday afternoon. RPI improves to 8-0 for the first time in school history, while Bard moves to 4-3-1.
 
The Engineers had the better of the possession early, and Baughen hit the post in the 10th minute. Shots were 8-4 in favor of RPI at halftime.
 
RPI pressured Bard early in the second half, and it paid off quickly. A Raptors foul outside the upper right corner of the box, about 24 yards out, gave Baughen an opportunity and he made it count. His bending shot arched around and over the wall, and just under the crossbar for his team-leading fifth goal of the season.
 
In the 65th minute, Bard scored what appeared to be the equalizer off a corner, but the Raptors were cited for obstructing RPI keeper Ryan Nealon (Somers, NY), and it was waved off.
 
The game was played evenly from there. Total shots were in favor of RPI, 14-11, and shots on goal were even at 7-7.
 
RPI is right back on the pitch on Sunday afternoon at Babson College.