in a mini-slump after losing the two previous games. A new week brought opportunities against SUNY Plattsburgh on Friday, and SUNY Oneonta on Saturday for the Red Hawks, but the struggles would continue for Head Coach Adam Clinton and crew.
SUNY Plattsburgh didn’t wait long to get the action started. Just under two minutes into the game, the Cardinals had a corner kick opportunity which they made the most of. Senior Ryan Forsberg put the shot home to give Plattsburgh the early 1-0 lead.
Freshman John LoGuirato increased the Cardinal’s advantage to 2-0 before the half was over, receiving a pass from classmate Mark Misiak, and scoring the shot in the 32nd minute. Heading into halftime, the Red Hawks would need to make some adjustments to try and make a comeback.
When play resumed, however, Rensselaer was just unable to capitalize on any opportunities and find a way to score.
Plattsburgh would eventually get one more goal before the game was over. Andrew Fusco, a sophomore, put a shot past junior goalie Jeffery Krywanczyk in the 78th minute to give the Cardinals a 3-0 lead, which would ultimately be the final score.
Plattsburgh out-shot RPI 17-4, and held a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks. Krywanczyk made five saves for the Red Hawks in the loss.
RPI’s next task was a match up with Oneonta State. Once again, Rensselaer fell behind in the early going when Oneonta junior Keith Manscuk collected the ball from teammate Mike Aingworth and drew the RPI goalie off his line in an attempt to break up the play. The RPI stopper’s attempt was to no avail, however, as Manscuk was able to maneuver around him and finish the play, putting the Red Dragons up 1-0.
Play would remain intense up until halftime, but the score would stay at 1-0 as both teams prepared for the break.
When the game resumed in the second half, Oneonta had their next opportunity in the 55th minute. Michael Mahoney collected a loose ball around the RPI goal, and slid it past the Red Hawk goalie along the ground into the far left corner for the score, giving his team a 2-0 lead.
Manscuk would score once more on the day for the Red Dragons, giving his team a 3-0 lead after stealing the ball from a Rensselaer defender inside the box, and then floating it over the head of the Red Hawk goalie for the score. The goal would be the second of the day, and number 16 on the season for Manscuk, who has registered at least one point in every game this season for Oneonta State.
The Red Hawks would manage one goal before the day was over. Freshman Luke Burton gathered a pass from classmate Gregory Roundfield, and fired it past the outstretched arms of the Red Dragons’ goalie.
The score would remain at 3-1 when play came to an end, with RPI losing their fourth straight contest. Krywanczyk and junior Mike Prince each made three saves in the loss. RPI was again out shot rather handily 15-5, while corner kicks were an even 4-4.
Rensselaer’s record now stands at 4-6 overall. This weekend, the Red Hawks will have two Liberty League games: Union College on Friday, and Skidmore College on Saturday, both games on the road. Look for Coach Clinton to try and get things turned around as the Red Hawks prepare to enter an important part of the season if they wish to make a run at the playoffs.
