TROY, N.Y. – Six different players scored as the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's soccer team defeated Castleton University, 6-1, in its home opener at East Campus Stadium on Saturday. With the win, the Engineers improve to 2-1 overall, while the Spartans drop to 0-2.

RPI scored three times in the first 20 minutes to open up an early lead. Freshman Arik Duncan (Decatur, GA/Woodward Academy) got the Engineers on the board in the sixth minute, when he raced onto a ball from senior Austin Betterly (Plymouth Meeting, PA/Plymouth Whitemarsh) and beat Castleton goalkeeper Alex Fernald (Phippsburg, ME/Morse) on the dribble, before slotting home his second of the year, into an open net.

Junior center back Trevor Bisson (Baton Rouge, LA/Episcopal) kept up his superb scoring record by heading home RPI's second goal of the game, rising to meet a corner kick from the right by sophomore Michael Harten (Merrick, NY/Sanford H. Calhoun). The tally was his second on the young season, matching Duncan for tops on the team.

Duncan then returned the favor to Betterly in the 19th minute, winning a 50-50 ball at midfield, before sending the senior winger into the penalty area on the right side. Betterly ripped a first-time shot with his right foot, just inside the near post for his first goal of the year and 11th of his career.

Freshman Josh Gaudiano (Manhattan Beach, CA/Mira Costa) made it a 4-0 lead with a cracking half volley from the top of the 18. Betterly swung a cross from the right wing to Gaudiano, who ripped a shot inside the right upright for his first collegiate tally.

Castleton got one goal back late in the first half, when Jacob Henderson (Rutland, VT/Rutland) collected a carom off the post and tapped in his second goal of the season from close range. Senior Jack Kingdon (Woodbury, CT/Bridgton Academy) picked up the assist with the initial shot off the woodwork.

RPI did not take long to get its scoring touch back in the second half, as sophomore Paul Silva (Wayne, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) finished off a cross from Betterly on the slide in the 53rd minute. Sophomore Billy Chissoe (Gig Harbor, WA/Charles Wright Academy) found Betterly with a perfectly weighted pass up the right flank, before his cross found a sliding Silva for the goal.

The Engineers closed out the scoring in the 87th minute on a headed goal from the edge of the six by freshman Gabe Terando (Hopedale, MA/Hopedale). Classmate Sergio Silva (Bethel, CT/Bethel) delivered the free kick service from near the left corner flag.

Sophomore goalkeeper Luke Brezak (Camano Island, WA/The Overlake School) was credited with the win, improving to 2-0, while making one save in the first 45 minutes. Senior Matt LaBranche (Wilbraham, MA/Minnechaug Regional) stopped all three shots he faced in the second half.

Renselaer is back in action tomorrow afternoon, when it hosts Manhattanville College (1:30pm). The Spartans visits Union College tomorrow (1:30pm).