TROY, N.Y. ­­– Senior Devon Baughen scored the only goal of the game to lead the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's soccer to a 1-0 victory over Skidmore College, on Wednesday night at East Campus Stadium. With the win, the Engineers improve to 6-6-3 overall (4-2-1 Liberty League), while the Thoroughbreds drop to 5-5-3 (2-1-2 Liberty League).

Baughen (Sarasota, FL/Pine View) extended his point streak to seven games when he took advantage of a misplay by the Skidmore back line in the 80th minute. Claiming a loose ball at the top of the 18, he flicked the ball over his head and rifled a left-footed volley that found the top right corner of the net. The tally was his team-leading eighth of the season and fifth in seven league matches.

Rensselaer was able to hold Skidmore without a shot over the final 10 minutes to secure the three points.

The Thoroughbreds controlled the early stages of the game and generated seven of the first eight attempts. In the eighth minute, senior Brennan Mitrolka (Hadley, MA/Hopkins Academy) had a shot blocked by the RPI defense, before freshman Matt Schwab (Stowe, VT/Stowe) pulled the follow up wide left.

A minute later, Skidmore junior Austin Okoye (Abuja, Nigeria/International Academy) cut back to left foot and delivered a well struck shot that was held by Rensselaer freshman goalkeeper Matt LaBranche (Wilbraham, MA/Minnechaug Regional).

Freshman Tommy Sitton (Bradbury, CA/Loyola) picked out the run of senior Vito Mesiti (Slingerlands, NY/Guilderland) in the 23rd minute, but his low cross flashed across the top of the six-yard box untouched.

Skidmore had another opportunity in the 26th minute, when junior Kevin Santos (Framingham, MA/Northfield Mount Hermon) found some space at the top of the penalty area and ripped a shot that skimmed just over the bar.

RPI was shown a pair of cautions just over a half hour in, including one to junior left back Andrew Zendan (Charlotte, NC/Providence) for denying the Thoroughbreds of a potential chance in the 33rd minute.

The Thoroughbreds held an 8-2 edge in shots over the opening 45 minutes.

Rensselaer had a strong start to the second half, getting forward and generating scoring opportunities. Freshman Austin Betterly (Plymouth Meeting, PA/Plymouth Whitemarsh) got the to the end line on several occasions, including in the 58th minute, when he found the head of Mesiti, who drilled a header just wide of the right post.

Betterly then had an attempt at goal of his own in the 64th minute after taking down an aerial ball from the left by Mesiti. His right-footed try rolled wide of the target, however.

LaBranche made his biggest save of the night in the 71st minute, turning away a point-blank shot from Santos. A ball was played to the left side of the box, where Santos was all alone with the RPI keeper, but LaBranche stood tall and made a two-footed save on the low shot.

Skidmore finished with an 11-6 shots advantage and a 3-2 edge in corner kicks. LaBranche (3-1-1) had three saves for his fourth shutout (third straight), while Thoroughbreds senior keeper Derrick Yam (Longmeadow, MA/Longmeadow) did not make a save.

Baughen is now one goal shy of his 2015 total. He has at least one point in each of RPI's seven Liberty League contests.

The Engineers return action on Saturday, when they host Bard for Senior Day at East Campus Stadium (4:30pm). Skidmore travels to Clarkson on Saturday (2pm).