FREDERICKSBURG, Va. - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Men's Soccer team opened their 2023 season on the road Friday evening in Virginia, playing their first game in the University of Mary Washington Tournament. The Engineers squared off with the hosts, falling to the No. 4 nationally-ranked Eagles by a final score of 4-0.

The Eagles scored their first goal in the eighth minute, as Aidan Shell connected on assists from Nalsar Castillo and Jordy Santana to make it 1-0 in favor of the host squad. RPI maintained the one goal deficit into the half, as goalkeeper Colin Such kept the Engineers in the match.

Mary Washington then collected three goals in the second half - all coming just under four minutes apart as they opened up a 4-0 lead. Blake Hoskins scored the second goal at the 66:57 mark before Carter Berg connected at the 68:38 mark. Will Rissing and Josh Kirkland each provided assists to those strikes from the Eagles.

Gabe Francesconi added the final goal to the board at the 70:40 mark in the second half, putting it in the back of the net on a free kick to seal the deal for Mary Washington. RPI had shots at the net down the stretch, but could not convert.

Brady Van Epps led the Engineers with two shots for seven total attempts for the Engineers. For Mary Washington, Berg ended up with seven shots out of 22 total attempts for the Eagles. 

RPI returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 12 p.m. when they square off in their final contest at Mary Washington against North Carolina Wesleyan.