TROY, N.Y. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's soccer team is ranked seventh in the nation, according to the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division III Top 25, equaling the club's highest ranking this season. The Engineers are also ninth in the most recent D3Soccer.com poll.
The ranking is the highest since 2009, when RPI was sixth. That team finished the season 14-3-1.
RPI, which is led by 14th-year head coach
Adam Clinton, is currently 8-0-1 overall and 1-0 in Liberty League play. The Engineers, who retained the top spot in the NSCAA East Regional Rankings for the second straight week, host Hobart and RIT this Friday (4pm) and Saturday (4pm), respectively, for Homecoming & Reunion Weekend at East Campus Stadium.
As a team, Rensselaer is seventh nationally in team goals against average (0.33) and 15th in save percentage (.897). The Engineers are second in the Liberty League in fewest goals allowed (3) and third in margin of victory (2.00). They are also third in fewest shots on goal conceeded per game (2.89).
Rensselaer is led offensively by junior winger
Devon Baughen (Sarasota, FL/Pine View), who has five goals and four assists for 14 points in nine games. Senior captain
Matt Carberry (Auburn, NY/Auburn) is second with nine points on three goals and three assists. Fellow captains
Paul Lentine (Penfield, NY/Penfield) and
Nathaniel Gunderson (Olympia, WA/Tumwater) are tied for third with eight points apiece. Carberry and Gunderson have each been named Liberty League Performer of the Week.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Ryan Nealon (Somers, NY/Somers) has started all nine games for the Engineers and is 8-0-1 with a 0.33 goals against average and an .893 save percentage. The two-time Liberty League Rookie of the Week has made 25 saves and recorded six shutouts.
Currently number one in the NSCAA D-III poll is undefeated Kenyon (8-0). Franklin & Marshall (9-0) and Christopher Newport (8-0-2) rank second and third, respectively, while fellow New York school St. Lawrence sits at 16th.
