TROY, N.Y. - Senior Trevor McCaughey scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 53rd minute to lift the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory SUNY Geneseo, on Saturday afternoon at East Campus Stadium. With the win, the Engineers improve to 1-2, while the Knights drop to 0-2-2.

McCaughey (Murrieta, CA/Murrieta Valley) broke a 1-1 deadlock with a half volley that clipped the underside of the crossbar, before making its way into the net. After the Engineers worked the ball into the Geneseo penalty area, it was partially cleared to McCaughey, who settled and ripped home his first of the year.

RPI had opportunities to add to its lead, including a pair close range tries in the 68th and 69th minutes. Freshman Billy Chissoe (Gig Harbor, WA/Charles Wright Academy) flashed a header wide right of goal, before classmate Paul Silva (Wayne, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) rolled a left-footed attempt wide from the left side of the box.

Senior captain Danny Corridan (Queens, NY/Archbishop Molloy) whistled a shot wide in the 70th minute.

The visitors were held in check throughout much of the second half, but came close to equalizing in the dying moments, after drawing a free kick on the right flank. A dangerous ball was played into the RPI area, but the Engineers were able to clear before the Knights could pounce.

Rensselaer opened in the scoring in just the third minute. Senior captain Dan Graybill (Reinholds, PA/Cocalico) delivered a corner from the right that junior Brandon Pirog (Jackson, NJ/Jackson Liberty) nodded home for his first goal of the campaign. 

The Engineers controlled possession for the early stages, before Geneseo turned its first threat at goal, after 25 minutes had gone. Senior Noah Van Zandt (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs) was denied by RPI junior goalkeeper Matt LaBranche (Wilbraham, MA/Minnechaug Regional) at point blank range.

Geneseo equalized in the 37th minute, after nearly scoring seconds earlier. A corner from the right was headed on goal by sophomore Marco LaRocca (Greenlawn, NY/Harborfields), but LaBranche made the stop. A clearance to the top of the 18 was sent back on a looping volley from senior Austin DeRidder (Fairport, NY/Farmingdale), which found the top left corner of the net.

RPI finished with a 16-6 advantage in shots and a 4-2 corner kick edge. LaBranche (1-2) had four saves, while Geneseo junior Liam Dole (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem Central) had two stops at the other end of the field.

The Engineers are back in action tomorrow afternoon, when they host Elms College at ECAV Stadium (2pm). The Knights host Houghton on Tuesday (7pm).