ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y. – Freshman Josh Gaudiano notched his second multi-goal game of the season to lead the No. 19/20 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's soccer team to a 4-1 victory at Bard College, on Wednesday night. With their eighth straight win, the Engineers improve to 9-1 overall (2-0 Liberty League), while the Raptors drop to 1-8-1 (0-3 Liberty League).

Gaudiano opened the scoring in the 27th minute, when he got on the end of a low cross from classmate Andy Zhao for the first of his two goals on the night. Senior Austin Betterly started the play from the center of the field, spraying pass to the right flank for Zhao, who hit a ball, first time, across the top of the 18. Gaudiano got just enough on the shot to slip it past Bard goalkeeper Logan Leppo.

RPI doubled its advantage in the 34th minute, when freshman Arik Duncan won a 50/50 ball near midfield and immediately sent Gaudiano into the right side of the box. His shot was kept out by the right hand of Leppo, but the rebound fell directly into the path of sophomore Paul Silva, who stuck home his third goal of the season.

Gaudiano made it a brace in the 65th minute, finishing off his second penalty kick of the season for his team-leading ninth tally. Duncan then made it 4-0 six minutes later. Sophomore Michael Harten lobbed a ball in behind the Raptors defense for Duncan, who took a touch past Leppo before tapping his fourth goal of the season into an open net.

Bard got on the board in the 76th minute on a free kick from 25 yards out. Denton Lane's attempt was muffed by RPI sophomore goalkeeper Luke Brezak into the net.

Senior captain Matt LaBranche (3-1) earned the victory between the sticks, playing the first 75 minutes, before giving way to Brezak, who made one save. Leppo (1-4-1), who was saddled with the loss, turned away 11.

Gaudiano's nine goals are tied for the third-most in a single-season at RPI. Only Gary Sroka '08 (12 in 2007) and Andrey Oks '00 (10 in 1996) have scored more. 

The Engineers are back in action on Saturday night, when they host Union College at East Campus Stadium (7pm). Bard travels to RIT on Saturday (1pm).