MIDDLEBURY, Vt. — The RPI men's soccer team generated a strong second-half response but could not overcome an early deficit in a 3-1 setback to unbeaten Middlebury this evening at South Street Field.
Justin Woodbine provided the Engineers' goal, while RPI outshot the Panthers 10-2 after halftime and 12-11 overall.
Middlebury opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Dylan Payne finished a setup from Harper Nicholl. The Panthers continued to apply pressure during the opening half, with
Noah Churchill making an early save before Will Sawin struck the woodwork in the 15th minute.
Sawin doubled the Middlebury advantage in the 29th minute off assists from Quinn Pappendick and Charlie Johnson before adding his second goal of the evening in the 43rd minute to make it 3-0.
Landon Bradley produced a pair of late first-half attempts for the Engineers, but RPI entered the break facing a three-goal deficit.
The Engineers responded with sustained pressure after halftime.
Jax Jameson generated three opportunities during the opening 14 minutes of the second half, while
Alesio Barquin also added an attempt as RPI began to tilt the field in its favor. The Engineers ultimately produced 10 of their 12 total shots following the break while limiting Middlebury to just two.
RPI continued to threaten midway through the period. Woodbine forced Middlebury goalkeeper Leon Brody into a save in the 70th minute before Bradley added another attempt.
Sam Neal then helped create the Engineers' breakthrough in the 78th minute. Neal's initial shot struck the right post, and Woodbine finished the ensuing opportunity to cut the Middlebury advantage to 3-1.
The Engineers continued to push over the closing minutes but could not draw any closer. Woodbine finished with two shots, both on goal, and recorded his fourth goal of the season. Neal registered two attempts and the assist, while Jameson and Bradley each finished with three shots.
