The men’s lacrosse team began its 2002 season Saturday in Oneonta against the Elmira Soaring Eagles. Though the Red Hawks were outshot by a 37-29 margin, a very strong goaltending effort by co-captain Matthew Moog led RPI to a 10-8 victory.
Elmira got onto the board just 16 seconds into the game, but RPI came back with a pair of goals to take the lead. The teams traded goals back and forth in the second period, and RPI took a 6-5 lead into halftime.
The Soaring Eagles scored early in the third to tie it up, but RPI attackers Nick Culotti and Jeff Hobbs took over the game after that, each scoring twice more to put the Red Hawks over the top—Elmira had a 20-minute scoring drought and could only reduce the gap down to two goals.
A young team, Rensselaer got solid performances from a pair of freshmen: Nick Culotti led all scorers with three goals and four assists, and midfielder Ryan Frisch chimed in with a goal and two assists, plus some solid contributions on defense. Hobbs, a junior, also scored three times for the Red Hawks.
Moog picked up 18 saves in recording the win.
Head Coach Jim Townsend was pleased with the victory, but had mixed feelings about his players’ performance. The team played hard, he said, but “we’ve got a long way to go.” Townsend specifically noted that the Red Hawks’ passing game needs work.
Rensselaer’s home opener is tonight at 6 pm against Western New England. The team will then travel to Las Vegas for a pair of matches over spring break.
