ONEONTA, N.Y.  – Senior Hans Purtell scored the only goal of the match in the second half and the SUNY Oneonta men's soccer team held on to defeat Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 1-0, at Red Dragon Field, on Tuesday. With the win, the Red Dragons improve to 3-2, while the Engineers drop to 2-2-1.

Senior Anthony Passiatore (South Setauket, NY/Ward Melville) picked out Purtell (Johnson City, NY/Johnson City) with a cross from the left flank after his corner kick deflected right back to him. Purtell leaped and headed the ball just under the crossbar for his third goal of the season.

RPI had its best chance to equalize in the 80th minute, when senior Dylan Weitz (Berkeley, NJ/Governor Livingston) delivered a ball behind the Oneonta defense. Classmate Devon Baughen (Sarasota, FL/Pine View) made a sliding attempt that came up short and junior Jeff Willoughby (Austin, TX/Vandegrift) saw his left-footed shot from a narrow angle miss wide.

Oneonta finished with a 10-5 edge in shots, including 5-0 on goal.

The Red Dragons saw a number of early shot attempts blocked by the RPI defensive back line, including two in the first 20 minutes by senior Andrew Gondek (Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Spa).
A pair of long free kicks provided the hosts with two more opportunities, but they were unable to find the target in the end.

Rensselaer generated a pair of chances late in the half, starting with a throw-in towards the top of the 18 deflected to senior Gabe El-Ghandour (Lafayette, NJ/Pope John), who headed it over the net. Freshman Dylan Confair (Williamsport, PA/Williamsport Area) then saw his half volley flash over the bar from 16 yards out.

Oneonta freshman keeper Ryan Wilson (Poughkeepsie, NY/Arlington) was not forced to make a save, while RPI junior Ryan Nealon (Somers, NY/Somers) made four stops.

The Engineers continue their season-long, season-opening seven game road trip on Saturday at SUNY Potsdam (6pm). Oneonta hosts Vassar on Saturday (2pm).