TROY, NY - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's lacrosse team fended off a late push from Liberty League foe Ithaca to claim an 11-9 victory today at ECAV Stadium.

Evan Whatley had three goals, while Sean Smith and Erik Ojert deposited two strikes each for RPI.

Cooper Roman, Zach Swanson, Tyler Ruffini, and Ty Stanek also provided one tally apiece to help the Engineers improve to 9-1 on the season.

Whatley scored two times, and Stanek, Swanson, Roman, and Ruffini pocketed one each to give RPI six of the first seven goals of the afternoon. Whatley would go on to finish his hat trick with three seconds left in the half.

Smith and Ojert struck on the other side of the break to give RPI a 9-4 advantage after three quarters. The duo accounted for the Engineers' fourth-quarter scoring as well.

Ruffini and Easton Morse tallied three assists each to facilitate the RPI attack. Whatley and Swanson registered one helper apiece, additionally.

Jack Greene, Ryan Sweet, and Robby McDonald all forced two turnovers to highlight the defensive effort. Sweet secured five ground balls as well.

RPI next hits the road for a 4:30 pm tilt at Vassar on Wednesday.