TROY, N.Y. – Junior Mack Walton converted a from the spot in the seventh round of penalties to send the Clarkson University men's soccer team past No. 12/15 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in the Liberty League Semifinals, after the two teams played to a 0-0 draw. The Golden Knights, who moved on with a 6-5 decision, are now 11-4-4 overall and advance to the Liberty League Championship Game against Hobart, tomorrow at 3:30pm. The Engineers, who can still make the NCAA Tournament with an at-large bid, move to 14-2-3.

Walton (Chester, VT/Green Mountain Union) tucked a low shot past RPI sophomore goalkeeper Luke Brezak (Camano, Island, WA/The Overlake School) and into the right side of the net for he penalty shootout win. Both Brezak and Clarkson senior goalie Ian Roeloffs (Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley) made one save in penalties.

The Engineers turned in a number quality chances in the late stages of the first half, but were unable to solve Roeloffs, despite outshooting the Golden Knights, 9-3, in the frame. Senior Dylan Confair (Williamsport, PA/Williamsport Area) was played in behind the Clarkson back line in the 43rd minute, but right-footed shot was kept out by Roeloffs.

In the opening minute of the second half, RPI freshman Arik Duncan (Decatur, GA/Woodward Academy) made a galloping run down the middle of the Clarkson defense, before cutting to his and right and then left before firing a shot right at Roeloffs. Two minutes later, classmate Josh Gaudiano (Manhattan Beach, CA/Mira Costa) launched one of his game-high eight shot attempts from the left side box, but it was saved as well.

On the ensuing corner, junior Paul Silva (Wayne, NJ/Seton Hall Prep.) turned in RPI's best chance the net, when stepped into a half volley and ripped a shot off the crossbar.
Gaudiano got free just moments later, but was denied by Roeloffs, who came sliding out to cut down the angle. He turned a few more chances as the half went along, but wasn't able to steer one past the Clarkson keeper.

Brezak was forced into action in the 77th minute, when he came out to stop a junior Matt Adamou (New Milford, CT/New Milford), who had broken in on the left side of the penalty area.

Clarkson outshot the Engineers 4-1 in overtime, but none of the attempts were threatening. Roeloffs (9-4-4) finished with nine saves in the match, while Brezak (9-0-3) had two.

RPI awaits its postseason fate, which will be announced on Monday at 1:30pm.