CANTON, N.Y. - Freshman Arik Duncan scored the game-winning goal in his return to action, helping the 15th-ranked Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's soccer team to a 3-1 victory at St. Lawrence University, on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Engineers improve ot 8-1 overall (1-0 Liberty League), while the Saints drop to 3-4-1 (0-1-1 Liberty League).

Following a scoreless opening 45 minutes, the visitors struck quickly in the second half, as junior captain Joe Di Miceli headed home his second goal of the season in the 48th minute. A Michael Harten corner kick delivery from the right was initially headed off the crossbar by Di Miceli, but he was able to nod home the carom for the game's opening tally.

Duncan the gave RPI a 2-0 lead in the 51st minute, receiving a ball just outside the six yard area and turn to smash home his third goal of the year. 

St. Lawrence drew to within 2-1 on a Robert Reynolds strike in the 67th minute. Taking down a cross-field ball from Marvin Sibanda on the left side of the RPI penalty area, Reynolds slid to poke a shot past Engineers sophomore goalkeeper Luke Brezak.

Freshman Josh Gaudiano gave the visitors their two-goal cushion back just four minutes later, latching onto a through ball from senior Austin Betterly and sticking home his team-leading seventh goal of the season - all of which have come in the last seven matches. 

RPI finished with a 16-10 advantage in shots, including 6-4 on goal. The Engineers also had a narrow 8-6 edge in corners. Brezak (6-0) made two saves, while Ben Woelfinger (2-4-1) had three stops at the other end of the field. 

Gaudiano's seven goals are the most by an RPI player since Devon Baughen '17 had eight in 2016. The victory was RPI's first against the Saints in Canton since October 25, 2009 - a 2-1 victory. The last time the Engineers came away with a victory of two more goals was October 9, 1971 - a 2-0 triumph. It also marks just the second time since 1971 that RPI has posted back-to-back wins over their North Country rivals. 

The Engineers are back in action on Wednesday night, when they visit Bard College (7pm). St. Lawrence travels to Ithaca on Saturday (2pm).