TROY, N.Y. – Freshman Josh Gaudiano scored for the second straight day to help the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Manhattanville College, on Sunday afternoon at East Campus Stadium. With the win, the Engineers improve to 3-1 on the year, while the Valiants drop to 1-2-1.

Rensselaer opened the scoring in the 29th minute, when senior left back Dillon Ashong (Pleasant Valley, NY/Arlington) converted a penalty kick past Manhattanville sophomore goalkeeper Matt Rodriguez (Rancho Palos Verdes, CA/Palos Verdes), who guessed correctly on his dive, but couldn't keep the ball from crossing the goal line. RPI sophomore Paul Silva (Wayne, NJ/Seton Hall Prep) drew the penalty, when his blast from the top of the box struck the arm of a Valiants defender.

Gaudiano (Manhattan Beach, CA/Mira Costa) doubled the RPI advantage in the 37th minute, collected a failed clearance at the top of the 18 and ripping a low right-footed shot into the left side of the net. The tally, which was Gaudiano's second goal in as many games, came after a corner kick by sophomore Michael Harten (Merrick, NY/Sanford H. Calhoun).

The Engineers took their two-goal lead into the break, while holding an 11-2 advantage in shots (5-0 on goal). RPI also had a 3-2 edge in corners.

Freshman Arik Duncan (Decatur, GA/Woodward Academy) got free in the penalty area within the first five minutes of the second half, but his looping attempt towards the far right post sailed just over the bar.

Later in the half, Gaudiano got on the end of a cross from senior Dylan Confair (Williamsport, PA/Williamsport), but saw his well struck shot get blocked by a defender at close range.

Manhattanville's only shot on goal came with 13 minutes to play. Junior Pablo Bravo Olle (Barcelona, Spain/LFG Bon Soleil) found some pace outside the area and hit a ball that was labeled for the top of the net, but RPI sophomore goalkeeper Luke Brezak (Camano Island, WA/The Overlake School) was able to tip it over the bar.

After Gaudiano had another chance get blocked – this time at the edge of the six – Duncan turned in the Engineers' best chance to score in the second half, but his long range chip of Rodriguez found the crossbar.

Brezak (3-0) was forced into action only a handful of times, including the one save, while Rodriguez found himself busy all afternoon. He had three stops and saw 21 total attempts come his way.
RPI is back in action on Wednesday, when it hosts Williams College (7:30pm), while the Valiants travel to Drew University on Saturday (1pm).