The previously undefeated and regionally ranked Rensselaer men’s soccer team and Head Coach Adam Clinton would second such a declaration. Especially after a 2-1 defeat to Mahanttanville in Purchase, N.Y., last Wednesday night handed the Red Hawks a stiff reminder they are not perfect.

Two nearly identical defensive breakdowns early in both halves proved to be the difference makers as RPI found itself playing from behind for the entire contest.

With just 2:20 gone in the first half, the Valiants’ Chris Myrtos took a pass from David Ferreira and simply ran his way straight through a lackadaisical Rensselaer midfield and defensive backfield and fired a shot from the top of the penalty box, beating sophomore goaltender John Thibdeau.

The score remained 1-0 in Mahanttanville’s favor for the rest of the first half; however, the Valiants would quickly extend their lead to 2-0, just four mintues into the game’s second session. Senior forward Scott Vieira found the net after cruising through an apparently tired or oblivious RPI defense and then, imitating Myrtos’ goal, delivered a rocket from the top of the penalty box.

“This loss was definitely good for us,” Clinton said. “Mahanttanville showed us we would be punished for our mistakes. I can preach it all day in practice, but sometimes they won’t believe it until they see it.”

Despite the defensive blunders and the Red Hawks’ inability to put significant pressure on the ball, Clinton was pleased with the team’s overall performance.

Down two goals, RPI did not give up; instead, they battled back in an effort to alleviate their early woes.

In the second half, Rensselaer fired eight shots at the Valiant goaltender, only one managed to find the net. At the 59:46 mark, freshman forward Mike Henzel deflected home a shot off the foot of senior forward Craig DiDomenico, tallying what proved to be the Red Hawks’ lone goal. Henzel would later be named Liberty League Rookie of the Week.

“I really feel like we outplayed them,” Clinton said. “We made two crucial mistakes and they both cost us. Nevertheless, they were a very good team and I was very happy with the performance just not the result.”

Clinton slightly changed his tune later in the week as the Red Hawks bussed over to Schenectady, N.Y., to participate in another round-robin tournament with Union. Two wins improved Rensselaer’s record, but still left their coach uncomfortable with their Liberty League opener against rival Union quickly approaching.

Mount St. Mary’s became the Red Hawks’ first victim of the weekend. Rensselaer simply dominated an overmatched Mount St. Mary squad, playing almost the entire game in their defensive zone.

The Red Hawks scored five goals on 29 shots compared to just one shot all game for Mount St. Mary’s. Sophomore forward Sal Mangano tallied two goals and just missed a hat trick after a potential goal was called off by the official. Mangano currently leads RPI in scoring with four goals in five games.

DiDomenico, Henzel, and sophomore Louis Martinelli also found the net for Rensselaer. Ball movement was superb throughout the game for Rensselaer, as the Red Hawks assisted on all five goals. DiDomenico, sophomore midfielder Gary Sroka, freshman forward Tim Wisner, senior midfielder Ed Sellitto, and freshman forward Max Molleo all handed out assists for RPI.

“We are getting goals from a number of people,” Clinton, who was concerned about his team’s ability to generate offense, said. “Hopefully it won’t dry up.”

The well didn’t dry up for RPI when they took on SUNY New Paltz in Schenectady, N.Y., on Sunday, but the water was much tougher to get. The Red Hawks would need overtime before dispelling the Hawks 1-0.

The game was a defensive battle with regulation ending in a 0-0 tie and both teams combining to put only 10 shots on the opposing goaltenders. In overtime, the RPI defense, and particularly Thibdeau, continued to be stout.

Thibdeau, who was starting in place of injured junior goaltender Nick Bochette, made the play of the game racing out from the net to stuff a potential game winning shot in overtime after a New Paltz forward broke away from the Rensselaer defense. Thibdeau transferred to Rensselaer last season and played forward last season after playing in Washington State at Division II Seattle University.

Thibdeau then quickly got the ball out in transition, and on the other end of the field, Sroka snuck a shot under a diving Masanori Hotto to clinch the victory.

“That has always been a solid spot for us,” Clinton said of his goaltenders. “That’s the one position, barring injuries, where I know we will be fine.”

Injuries could be a concern for the Red Hawks despite their depth in net. Bochette has now missed four games with a chronic hamstring injury, but he is expected to return to practice this week.

Thibdeau, who was named Liberty League Defensive Player of the Week, will most likely start for the RPI in their game against Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts this Saturday in North Adams, Mass.

Unfortunately, the health of his starting goaltender is not his only concern. He is still uncomfortable with his team’s inability to put substantial pressure on the ball in the midfield and on defense.

Clinton is hoping to convince his back four defenders to be more aggressive and push up to limit the room opponents will have to operate.