The Red Hawks have recorded shutouts in five consecutive matches, including all four wins over league opponents. Head Coach Adam Clinton said that the “back four and the goalkeeper have been very good in this last stretch.” The team has eight shutouts total on the season, and has allowed just seven goals through its first 12 games.

Against the Saints on Friday, senior Tim Wisner opened the scoring in the 41st minute with a shot from the left side. St. Lawrence goalkeeper Emilio Coletta wasn’t able to fully block Wisner’s shot, and the ball trickled into the goal by the near post. Sophomore Blake Adams assisted on the play. The Red Hawks got some insurance in the 58th minute. Following a foul just outside the penalty box, sophomore Ben Poser delivered the free kick to junior Lincoln Field, who found the back of the net with a header to double RPI’s lead to 2-0.

Sophomore goalkeeper Alex Penny had to work for the shutout, making 11 saves total. Coletta finished with five for St. Lawrence. The Red Hawks were outshot 22-15 in the game.

The next day against Clarkson, junior Jabel Prom gave the Red Hawks the lead in the 56th minute. After the Golden Knights were unable to clear the ball off a corner kick, Prom ripped a shot from near the edge of the penalty box that beat Golden Knight goalkeeper Mike St. Croix high in the center of the goal. Once again, RPI was able to extend the lead to two goals—this time from sophomore Bryce Hutchinson. He scored on a low shot in the 71st minute to close out the scoring in the match.

Things were easier in goal for RPI against Clarkson, as only two saves were needed to preserve the shutout. Penny had one, and senior Mike Prince recorded one after taking over in net with just over 10 minutes left to play. St. Croix had six saves for Clarkson.

Penny was named Liberty League Defensive Performer of the Week, and freshman Brad Shelofsky received Liberty League Rookie of the Week honors.

Of the fans at this weekend’s games, Clinton said: “We really appreciate the support … we love having fans who are vocal and come and really support us.”

The Red Hawks’ four Liberty League victories leave the team with 12 points overall, exactly the number Clinton had thought the team would need to make the league’s year-end tournament; however, with three matches left in the league, the team’s work is not done yet. “We’re focusing on trying to host the Liberty League tournament,” stated Clinton. To earn that, RPI will need to finish first in the regular season standings in the Liberty League.

The Red Hawks have three remaining matches against Liberty League opponents. First, the team heads to Vassar College this Saturday. RPI will close out the league schedule at home against Hobart College—which is unbeaten at 12-0-1 on the season—and Hamilton College on October 25 and 26, respectively.

Before that, RPI will face the Keene State College Owls on the road Wednesday. Keene State, Clinton’s alma mater, will enter the match with a 3-7-3 record. The Owls are winless in their last five matches, and have just one victory in their last nine. RPI and Keene State met last season on Renwyck Field in a match that ended as a 1-1 draw.

“They are usually pretty tough to beat,” said Clinton of the Owls. He noted that Keene State generally has athletic, skillful teams and are very good playing at home, where they tend to draw big crowds.