The RPI men’s soccer team opened up their season this weekend as they played host to the third annual Red Hawk Classic. The Red Hawks started their season off on the right foot, and Head Coach Adam Clinton was very pleased to walk away with two victories in his team’s first two games.
Rensselaer squared off against Colby-Sawyer Friday night under the lights of Harkness Field. In the opening half of play, the competition was evenly matched. Though both teams had multiple opportunities to score, only the Red Hawks were able to capitalize before the break.
Freshman Jabel Prom did the honors after gathering a loose ball, and netting a shot under the opposing goalie’s left side to give RPI a 1-0 lead at the 37:39 mark.
That lone goal would be the only scoring action in the first half. When play resumed, however, the Red Hawks were thirsty for more. Gary Stroka, a junior, scored on a turn-around shot after intercepting the ball from an opposing defender, and increased RPI’s lead over Colby-Sawyer to two.
The margin would grow even wider after senior Dave Roberge headed a cross from freshman Travis Connell into the back of the goal for Rensselaer’s third and final goal of the day.
Junior John Thibdea played very well between the pipes, earning the shutout for the Red Hawks, stopping the only shot he saw. One shot on goal shows just how good the RPI defense was that day.
The men were back to action the very next day when they took on Old Westbury in the finale of the Red Hawk Classic. Rensselaer got on the board, thanks to Roberge, who placed the ball perfectly past the diving attempt of the Panther goal-keeper for his second goal in as many days.
RPI would strike once more in the first half. After the Panthers deflected the ball in Rensselaer’s favor, Prom put the ball into the top left corner of the goal. Thibdeau was solid once again, and kept the game scoreless heading into halftime after making a remarkable save in the waning minutes of play. He would have five saves on the day and earn his second win of the season.
In the second half, the Red Hawks began to pull away. Freshman Lincoln Field received a pass from classmate Sean Fleury outside of the box, and fired it into the back of the goal for RPI’s third score of the game. Rensselaer would add one more before the game ended. Mike Henzel, a sophomore, collected a rebound and put the ball past the goalie to officially put the game out of reach.
After their first two games of the season, Head Coach Adam Clinton felt very good about his team’s efforts. “We showed good team speed and skill level, our work rate was tremendous, and we worked hard to get the ball back when we lost it,” said Clinton. He added, “I still think we need to be better defensively, in addition to being more careful with the ball, but these are things that can be worked on and I am confident we can get better.”
So with the Red Hawks already 2-0 on the season, the players undoubtedly are in high spirits. Clinton was quick to point out how well the team gets along with each other and their desire to fight for each other in an effort to take ownership of the team. “It’s nice because all I have to do is worry about coaching and motivating,” said Clinton.
While the team is young, experience will come as they continue to play more games. It will be interesting to see how RPI grows as a team over the next few weeks. The Red Hawks return to action on Wednesday versus Manhattanville, and then head to Union for a tournament this weekend.
