KEENE, N.H. – The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's soccer team scored 3 goals in an eight-minute stretch and went on to defeat Keene State College, 3-0, on Friday night at Dr. Ron Butcher Field. With the win, the Engineers improve to 3-1-1 overall, while the Owls drop to 0-3-1.
RPI jumped out a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute, when graduate student midfielder
Michael Harten stuck home the rebound of a
Josh Gaudiano shot in the middle of the box. Harten won the ball back at midfield to start the play, sending it ahead to senior
Paul Silva on the left. Silva play the ball to Gaudiano, who turned and shot to draw the rebound from Keene State goalkeeper Anthony Pasciuto for the tally.
Fifth-year centerback
Joe Di Miceli caught the Owls by surprise in the 15th minute, scoring his second goal of the season from quick free kick. While Keene State was preparing its wall on the right side of the penalty area, Di Miceli stepped up and side-footed the ball into the open net for a 2-0 lead.
Senior
Billy Chissoe netted a highlight-reel goal in the 21st minute for his first goal since October 13, 2018. Dribbling to his left across the top of the Keene State penalty area, he ripped a left-footed shot, across his body and into the top right corner of the net, to give RPI a 3-0 advantage.
The Owls turned in a pair of chances late in the first half, but could not find the target.
In the second half, RPI continued to threaten the Keene State goal. Junior
Ben Kogan hit a rocket of a shot from 25 yards out that was tipped over the bar in the 52nd minute.
Later in the half, sophomore Riggie Durden saw his try go just wide of the net. Freshman Julio Rodriguez then found the frame with a shot in the 72nd minute, but that was stopped by Pasciuto.
RPI Finished with an 11-8 shot advantage, as senior goalie
Luke Brezak (3-1-1) was forced to make just one save. Pasciuto (0-3-1) had four saves at the other end of the field.
The Engineers are back in action on Tuesday, when they host Eastern Connecticut State at East Campus Stadium (3:30pm). Keene State heads to Clark on Wednesday (7pm).
