TROY, N.Y. – Freshman Amer Lukovic scored late in the second half to lift the fifth-ranked Montclair State men's soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), on Tuesday night at East Campus Stadium. With the win, the Red Hawks improve to 14-1-1, while the Engineers drop to 9-3-2.

Junior Josiah Crawford (Berkeley Heights, NJ / Governor Livingston) drew a free kick just outside the RPI penalty area in the 84th minute, setting the only goal of the match. Lukovic (Clifton, NJ / Clinfton) drilled a left-footed shot into the RPI five-man wall, but the ball caromed right back to him and he followed with a second strike that found its way past RPI senior goalkeeper Luke Brezak (Camano Island, WA / The Overlake School) and into the back of the net.

The Engineers had a late chance to equalize, when junior Josh Gaudiano found himself free on the right side of the 18, but his shot was blocked by a sprawling Ian Chesney (Oakland, NJ / Ramapo), with under two minutes to play.

Lukovic then nearly made it a second as he raced into the RPI box on the counter, but was denied by a trailing leg stop by Brezak from 12 yards out.

RPI had the better of the chances in the early stages of the game, including a header off the post by junior Ben Kogan (Clifton Park, NY / Shenendehowa) in the 14th minute. Fifth-year senior Trevor Bisson (Baton Rouge, LA / Episcopal) then saw his header, which was labeled for the top half of the net, stopped by Montclair State senior goalkeeper Shane Keenan (Hazlet, NJ / Christian Brothers Academy) in the 24th minute.

Early in the second half, fifth-year senior Joe Di Miceli (Oceanside, NY / Oceanside) hit a half-volley just wide of the left post, after a failed clearance fell to him near the penalty spot. In the 59th minute, senior Paul Silva (Wayne, NJ / Seton Hall Prep.) just missed the net on another attempt from inside the 18.

A free kick from 20 yards out by Lukovic, in the 64th minute, was saved and held by Brezak. Less than a minute later, Gaudiano curled an attempt just wide of the right upright at the other end.

Brezak (9-3-2) finished with seven saves, while Keenan (10-0-0) had three. Montclair State out-shot the Engineers 13-11 overall, while corners were even at four apiece.

RPI is back in action on Saturday, when it visits Ithaca College for a Liberty League game (2pm). The Red Hawks travel to Rowan University on Saturday night (7pm).