Montclair, N.J. - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's soccer team began its 2022 season with a game at No. 23 Montclair State University and the Engineers came away with a scoreless draw. Graduate student Luke Brezak stopped two shots for RPI, which makes its home debut on Saturday at 6:30pm against UMass Boston.
 
The Red Hawks' Chris Fontanazza had a try in the 19th minute, but his low shot glanced off a defender and was smothered by Brezak at the near post. The only other shot on goal in the game came in the 31st minute, as Montclair's Ian Chesney's flick off a corner kick caromed off a body in front and was easily plucked out of the air by the goalkeeper Brezak.
 
Montclair State outshot RPI 5-2 in the first 45 minutes, but RPI held the lead in corners with a 2-1 margin. MSU went on to hold an 11-3 edge in shots in the contest.
 
Fontanazza once again came close in the 54th minute, but his try from outside the 18-yard went wide right. Rookie Anthony Viola tried his turn at goal as he moved in on the keeper after a backheel pass, but an Engineers defender recovered and deflected it into Brezak's waiting hands. Chesney pushed a header just over the crossbar in the 58th minute.
 
The Red Hawks visit Catholic University for a pair of games this weekend.