Baby steps. That has been the philosophy of the Rensselaer men’s soccer team over the past three years under Head Coach Adam Clinton. Win the half, win the game, and make the playoffs; baby steps.
The Red Hawks made all those small strides, some bigger than others, as RPI qualified for its first Liberty League playoff appearance in Clinton’s tenure. However, defeating St. Lawrence, the nation’s eighth-ranked team and the Liberty League tournament’s top seed, at home, in the Liberty League playoffs, proved to be a considerable leap. The Saints handily defeated Rensselaer 3-0 promptly ending the Red Hawks’ season, Friday in Canton, N.Y.
RPI dropped to 9-6-3 with the loss, but despite a dismal offensive performance that saw Rensselaer get out-shot 19-7, Clinton was pleased with the team’s overall showing—in the game, and throughout the season.
“We did a good job dispossessing them of the ball, holding them up, and containing them,” Clinton said. “We just have to get better at maintaining possession of the ball once we have it.
“I’m proud of the way the guys competed and worked all year. This was a great year for out team and our program. We aren’t at St. Lawrence’s level yet, but we are making headway.”
Unfortunately, it was hard to tell Friday afternoon, as the Saints grabbed two goals with just over 38 and 43 minutes showing on the clock to take a two goal lead into halftime. St. Lawrence added a cheap one as time expired in the second half. Clinton highlighted simple depth and skill as the Saints’ keys to victory.
“They are a deeper team than us and technically better.” Clinton admitted. “We had trouble matching up with them at times and they hurt us in isolation situations. We had some good scoring opportunities early, but failed to capitalize. We made only two mistakes, but they cost us.”
St. Lawrence played a total of 24 players, most of whom saw time when the game’s outcome remained uncertain. Nick Bochette made six saves in the game while the Saints’ Jordan James only made four.
The weekend proved not to be completely fruitless for the Red Hawks as six players received various honors from the Liberty League. Junior Defenseman Joe Johnson, who was vital to the team’s 0.97 goals against average, earned a selection the Liberty League First Team while goaltender Bochette was named to the league’s second team.
“Joe had a really good year, he really came on down the stretch,” Clinton said of the Hopewell Junction, N.Y. native.. “Nick [Bochette] was definitely a helpful addition to our defense.”
Midfielders Thomas Frost Anderson, Nick Ruggio, and Craig DiDomenico were also all selected to the Liberty League Second Team. The services of Frost Anderson, a graduate student, and Ruggio, a senior, will be sorely missed, as they combined for nine of the team’s 32 overall goals.
“Ruggio, Thomas, and Craig all had great years,” Clinton said. “Thomas was a great find and Nick really played well. Craig finally got some recognition which sets him up to have big senior season.”
Rounding out the all league selections was freshman midfielder Gary Sroka, who, despite missing five games this season due to injury, was named conference Rookie of the Year. Sroka had one game and three assists, and is not the only Red Hawk to earn the award, as Johnson took the honor in his rookie season of 2002.
“I wasn’t sure Gary was going to get it since he missed a few games,” Clinton admitted. “We felt like he had the potential to get it as our top recruit last year. [The awards] just show how far our program and the players have come. It is a great honor for all these guys to be noticed by their opposing coaches.”
Clinton will have little time to relax, however, as he must recruit several players to replace the seven graduating members of the squad. Frost Anderson and Ruggio highlight the group, but Eric Jacob, captain Nick Tsafos, Chris Searles, Chris Baker, Mike Briggs, and Jared Ray will leave a noticeable hole.
“All of them showed a great deal of leadership and helped keep the team grounded all season,” Clinton said of his departing players. “Most of these guys have been with me for three years and they have left the program in a tremendous state.”
