TROY, N.Y. — The RPI men's soccer team saw its 2026 season come to a heartbreaking end this evening, as Ithaca scored in the sixth minute of overtime to earn a 1-0 victory over the Engineers in the opening round of the Liberty League Tournament at ECAV Stadium.
Ithaca controlled much of the early play, generating 11 shots during the opening 45 minutes, but
Noah Churchill kept the Bombers off the scoreboard. Churchill made three saves in the opening eight minutes alone and helped send the teams into halftime locked in a scoreless tie. RPI's lone first-half attempt came from
Matt Schlotterbeck in the 31st minute.
The Engineers flipped the momentum after the break, outshooting Ithaca 10-7 during the second half.
Justin Woodbine and
Harrison Brownlow generated early opportunities before
Christopher McKinney forced Ithaca goalkeeper Brayden Milbrandt into a save in the 60th minute.
RPI continued to create chances as the half progressed.
Benjamin Dionisio put an attempt on goal in the 69th minute before
Sam Shmukler forced another Milbrandt save two minutes later. The Engineers also earned consecutive corner kicks during the stretch as they searched for the opening score.
Churchill answered at the other end with two crucial saves in the closing 10 minutes, stopping Colin Adams in both the 82nd and 85th minutes. RPI generated one final opportunity in regulation when Dionisio sent an attempt wide following a late corner kick, sending the scoreless contest into overtime.
The deciding moment came 5:26 into the extra period. Ithaca's Liam Breslin connected on a header that struck the post before bouncing along the goal line and barely crossing fully into the net for the game-winning score. Maddox Ward and Jack Carney were credited with assists on the goal, ending the contest at 1-0.
Churchill finished with six saves while playing all 95:26 in goal for the Engineers. McKinney, Dionisio and Shmukler accounted for RPI's three shots on goal, while Schlotterbeck, Brownlow, McKinney and Dionisio each recorded two total attempts. Ithaca finished with a 19-11 advantage in shots and a 7-3 edge in shots on goal, while holding a 9-5 advantage in corner kicks.
